HEDNESFORD TOWN 0 WEYMOUTH 0 WEYMOUTH were fuming with referee Andy Williams as they opened their Dr Martens Premier Division season with a action-packed share of the spoils at Hednesford.

The Terras claimed the Hereford- based official denied them a cast iron goal when Lee Phillips' bullet header following a Lee Phillpot corner appeared to cross the line after quarter of an hour of this lively contest.

Steve Claridge's men wheeled away in triumph but their celebrations were cut short when Mr Williams and his two assistants waved play on.

Earlier, visiting keeper Jason Matthews pulled off a tremendous stop from Darren Simkin's penalty to keep his side on terms.

But despite the lack of goals at Keys Park, this was no dreary affair as Weymouth's excellent midfield stroked the ball around with confidence.

The Dorset side were well worth the point and, on this showing, a good season looks in store at the Wessex Stadium.

Both teams were clearly eager to impress their respective new managers and scrapped for every loose ball right from the off.

Matthews was called into action early when Simkin's fizzing free-kick was pushed away and it looked like disaster would strike Weymouth after seven minutes when Mr Williams gave the first of his decisions to enrage the visitors.

Claridge, adjudged okay to play after a fitness test, appeared to be upended by Pitmen defender Les Robinson.

But with the referee waving away calls for a penalty, Hednesford launched an incisive counter which ended with nippy striker Mark Danks being hauled down by Terras skipper John Waldock inside the box.

The man in black this time had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but Matthews proved the hero by pushing away Simkin's effort to keep the game level.

After Phillips' goal line incident, when Mr Williams seemed to still be on holiday, Weymouth started to take control. The superb Phillpot curled

narrowly hit wide from 25 yards after a brilliant turn and Phillips' despairing dive at the far post to reach Claridge's cross shot was just in vain.

But with giant striker Steve Anthrobus in their ranks, Hednesford were always going to cause problems and defenders Waldock and Mark Kenway both had mammoth games marshalling the big man.

Defender Lee Russell limped off with a dead leg just before the break, but the set back didn't hinder Weymouth as they continued to press for an opener in the second period.

The tigerish Martin Barlow fed a galloping Steve Tully whose trademark run and cross down the right found Ian Hutchinson and his far post header brought the best out of Pitmen keeper Ryan Young.

The Terras best opening came after that when Tulley left a string of defenders in his wake and slipped in Claridge but with the goal gaping, the player boss slid his shot inches wide.

Chances continued to come at both ends with Hednesford's Danks next to try his luck but Matthews was equal to his flicked header.

The last 20 minutes was real edge of the seat stuff as both sides scrapped to find that elusive winner.

Matthews smothered the ball at the feet of home wing back Karl Brown and then did well to deny Danks moments later, while Weymouth almost won it when Barlow's dipping volley flashed over with time running out.