Royston will view this as a wasted opportunity to keep the pressure on league leaders Kettering Town, as they were unable to take advantage of the first half dismissal of Lee Hughes.

In truth the home side never really did enough to warrant claiming all 3 points, as a dogged defensive display from Halesowen ensured the Crows were restricted to few sights of goal.

Halesowen set up in a 4-5-1 formation and were quickly forced on the back foot as Royston looked to move the ball quickly. Early attacking intentions were clear, as James Potton headed over from a Jordan Norville-Williams free kick and Vance Bola was denied by Cameron Gregory in the Yeltz goal. Despite this early promise it was Halesowen who nearly opened the scoring, as Tobias Hayles-Docherty saw his shot hit the outside of the post.

Royston responded immediately, as Norville-Williams saw his curling free kick go just wide of the post. With both teams starting to take a more robust approach Hughes saw red on the half hour mark, as he arrived late for a challenge on Ben Martin, going straight through the back of the big defender and leaving the referee with little option.

Halesowen quickly re-organised following the sending off and adapted far better than Royston who seemed to be more affected, despite having the extra man and up until half time made no impression on the away defence.

The start of the second half saw Royston dominate possession and have their most dangerous period, as Rohdell Gordon shot wide and Potton saw his shot blocked on the line. Gordon then went on a mazy run that took him into the away box, his shot was partially blocked and Yeltz keeper Gregory did well to ultimately tip the ball over the bar.

However, the course of the game was to take another turn, as home striker Adam Murray received his marching orders for an innocuous looking coming together with away skipper Daniele Bragoli. Once again, the sending off seemed to affect the Crows more, as they lost the momentum that they had built up.

With the numbers evened up neither side gained an upper hand, although David Mooney for Royston and Ravin Shamsi for Halesowen, saw good opportunities well save by the opposing keepers.

This was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock, as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Royston: 1-Welch, 2-Scott-Morriss, 3-Norville-Williams, 4-Mentis, 5-Martin (16-Ellesley 32), 6-Brathwaite ©, 7-Potton, 8-Corcoran (14-Thomas 40), 9-Murray (sent off 58), 10-Bola (15-Mooney 63), 11-Gordon

Unused: 12-Castiglione, 18-Assombalonga

Attendance: 259

Crows MOM: Jordan Norville-Williams