However, in a hard fought game, against a resurgent home side, it was not until the final quarter of the game that Heys really established any measure of superiority.

Indeed, Wythenshawe were not without their opportunities and although they edged the game on chances Heys, although ultimately frustrated, may reflect that this was a point gained from a patchy display.

Heys started brightly and Lee Bruce just failed to connect to a cross after good work from Dalton McLaughlin and Jamie Baguley.
It was to reflect much of Heys early play, although there was some good passing and movement it lacked the crispness and accuracy to seriously trouble the home goal.

Wythenshawe were lively in attack and they had the first real sight of goal in the 20th minute. A cross into the box opened Heys up and it took a great defensive effort from Erike Sousa to keep the ball out but as his clearance broke on the edge of the box Alan Dolan pulled his shot just wide.

Heys began to show more fluency. On the half hour Bruce released Baguley but the latters shot was turned round the post by ‘Keeper Martin Blaine.

It sparked a spell of real pressure from Heys in which they forced a flurry of corners and Baguley and Max White both went close with free kicks.

However, the hosts continued to pose a threat and in a swift break it took a great save at the foot of the post from Rob Sadler to keep out a Ben Wilde header.

Heys returned to the attack and with half time looming came close to opening the scoring as Baguley beat the offside trap only for his low shot to hit the foot of the post.

Wythenshawe began the second half in lightning fashion and should have took the lead in the 47th minute but with Heys all at sea, Lee Preston contrived to miss from almost point blank range.

It was a warning a lethargic Heys failed to heed and three minutes later Wythenshawe took the lead. Some quick passing opened Heys up and Chris Howard went through to round Sadler and stroke home.

The goal had the effect of sparking Heys into life and they were denied by the woodwork for a second time in the 62nd minute when Sousa broke through only to see his angled shot come of the inside of the post.

However, three minutes later they were level. A great ball from deep by Jake Wood picked out Bruce. What the Heys striker did next was sublime. He picked the ball out of the air on his toe and showing great control, turned and from the edge of the area lifted the ball over Blaine into the top corner.

Hopes Heys would now kick in though did not materialise and they were grateful to see Solomon Wickstead lift the ball over from close range following a scramble and then moments later Saul Henderson broke free but pulled his shot into the side netting.

Finally, Heys stirred and in the 78th minute they were again denied by the frame of goal, not once but twice. First Paul Tierney saw a near post header come off the post and as the ball broke loose Shaun Johnson’s shot clipped the bar.

Heys were now really spraying the ball about and Greg Wills couldn’t quite divert a Bruce centre into the net before McLaughlin burst into the box but scuffed his effort.

A swift break almost proved Heys undoing and it took a crucial intercept by Sadler, pouncing on the ball in the six-yard box with home forwards looming for a tap in.

If there was to be a winner though it looked like coming Heys way and in the dying moments Blaine pushed away a McLaughlin shot and as the ball come loose Tierney, on the rebound, saw his shot deflected wide.

The point puts Heys three points clear at the top from Royton, on whom they have two games in hand.