Prestwich Heys 0-0 Gregorians

Jon Lyons fires in a cross as Heys look for a late winner

HEYS saw two perfectly good goals disallowed by the officials as they swept aside league leaders Gregorians in the first half. Brandon Jolly went closest in a much more even second 45 but both sides had to eventually settle for a point.

Time will only tell if this was to be a ‘must win’ match for Heys as they look to recover ground on the league leaders.

But they could do no more in a determined first half performance that proved that last weeks shambles at home to Leigh was nothing more than an off-day.

Marvin Walters’ long ball forward on 12 minutes picked out Mark Westhead who got to the ball first before being clattered by the on-rushing Greg’s ‘keeper. The ball rolled just wide and no penalty was given.

But just a minute later, Heys found the back of the net through a Jon Lyons free-kick. Hitting the group of players camped on the edge of the six-yard box, the ball took a couple of glances of various heads before beating the ‘keeper an nestling in at the far corner.

However, the referee continued to hold his hand aloft signalling the free-kick as indirect and adjudged the ball to have gone straight in and ruled out the effort, much to the disbelief of the Heys players, officials and fans.

Another long ball forward again picked out Westhead on 35 minutes but the Gregorians ‘keeper reacted quickly to rush off his line and collect the ball before the Heys striker could get the vital touch.

Eliot Bernstein in the Heys goal pulled off a fine finger-tip save in a rare first half attack from the visitors before Heys again thought they’d got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time.

Damion Keegan’s effort from the edge of the box looked to have been touched on to the post by the ‘keeper before Westhead ran on to the rebound and tapped home in to the unguarded net.

But Heys joy was again short-lived as the linesman’s flag was spotted thus causing the referee to disallow another Heys strike.

However, if it were present, video evidence would have shown Westhead running from an onside position when Keegan’s original strike was hit.

After the break, both sides asked a couple of questions but failed to put either ‘keeper under any real pressure.

A Gregorians forward sent a snap-shot high over the crossbar from inside the box before Heys held their breath as Bernstein’s attempted throw out hit the back of a players head but was luckily easily collected again by the Heys stopper.

Sub Brandon Jolly raced on to a through ball as the deadlock finally looked to be broken only to see his effort bounce wide under pressure from a covering defender and the ‘keeper.

The point sees Heys drop two places to seventh, still eight points behind the leaders but having played one game more.

The visit of fourth placed Wigan Robin Park awaits this Saturday, kick-off at Sandgate Road is 2:30pm.