Whitehaven worked hard for a point in their Northern League Division Two game at the Millfield Ground on Saturday.
 
Despite having most of the possession in the first half, Crook Town were too busy trying to walk the ball into the net, and the visitors defence  denied them the space to do that. 

Apart from a couple of long range efforts that 'keeper Brian Miller dealt with easily, the hosts hardly troubled the Whitehaven backline, where Craig Lewis played sweeper behind the impressive Graeme Lilly and Gary Hodgson. 

Full backs Barrie Fowler and Adam Johnson were equally resolute as they repelled home side attacks, and playing on the counter the visitors looked sharp going forward. 

They snatched the lead on 32 minutes when Craig Robson and Darren Donald played a quick one two and crossed the ball into the middle where Kevin Connolly played an intelligent ball back to Stuart Shaw on the edge of the area.  His left footed drive gave the home 'keeper no chance, and Crook seemed to flounder for the remainder of the half.

Following the break, Crook pressed forward in greater numbers, and Miller was forced into one tremendous save to keep his side in contention. 

Content to soak up pressure then hit on the break, Whitehaven looked in little trouble until a Stephen Brown thunderbolt from outside the box on 76 minutes flew into the net to give his side parity.

 It made one wonder why they hadn't tried more of that before.  The visitors started to hang on rather as the game drew to a close, but home hearts fluttered when Robson tapped home from close in and were relieved to have the "goal" chalked off for offside. 

A Crook header grazed the post in the final seconds, but the visitors thoroughly deserved a share of the spoils and celebrated the event at the final whistle from an excellent team performance.

On Saturday Whitehaven are at home to Thornaby at the Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex, kick off 3pm.

Team: Miller, Fowler, Johnson, Hodgson, Lilly, Lewis, Donald, Holliday, Shaw, Connolly, Robson. Subs: Law (75) Rothery (80)  S. Hewitt ( 68)

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