MALDON and Tiptree shared the spoils after a 0-0 draw with Bury Town on a frustrating afternoon that could have seen them take all three points, writes LEE WITNEY.

It was the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides in the Pitching In Isthmian League division north and fired the first warning shot in the opening minute when a Darren Mills header looped just over the crossbar.

Bury had the better of the opening 20 minutes, Maldon needed to settle and they nearly made Bury pay for not taking their chances.

A wonderfully weighted through ball from Harry Phillips put George Smith in on goal.

His right footed shot across the face of the goal drew a fine fingertip save from Charlie Woods to prevent the Jammers from going ahead.

There were chances for either side to take the lead before the break, but the teams went in 0-0 at the interval.

The second half began in much the same manner as the first; Bury with most of the play, but without ever overly worrying the Maldon back line.

On the hour mark, Phillips was taken out on the penalty spot as he tried to connect with a great ball in from Willis on the right. The referee waved the Jammers’ appeals away.

On 65 minutes, some determined play from Mokwenye caused panic and forced a poor back pass to Woods.

With the Bury shot stopper stranded in no-man’s land, Ronnie read the pass and tried to lift it over Woods, but couldn’t get enough on it and the keeper was grateful to see the ball drop into his hands.

With a little more than 20 minutes to go, more good play down the Maldon left allowed Mokwenye to get a cross in which was flapped away by Woods, the ball broke but Bates’ header cleared the bar from eight yards out and Bury were reprieved.

Bury gave the hosts a big scare when Lewis O’Malley found himself with the freedom of Park Drive in the box, but inexplicably put his header over.

A late corner from Gregan looked to have won the game. A wicked inswinging ball from the Bury left hit the bar before bouncing down on the line and being cleared to safety.

A smart save from Tommy at his near post proved to be the last action of the day as both sides had to settle for a point.