Marine maintained their unbeaten start to the season but had to settle for a point in a niggly encounter with Rushall Olympic at a blustery Marine Travel Arena. Manager Sean Hessey was able to name the same starting eleven and substitutes who were on duty in the midweek win over Blyth Spartans.

In a quiet opening ten minutes in terms of goalmouth action both sides struggled to adapt to the conditions, and though the Mariners had their wind at their backs in the first period many passes were overhit on the breeze, whilst the visitors were content to clear their lines with the long ball at every opportunity.

The Whites had the ball in the net on 18 minutes, as skipper Josh Brizell's diagonal ball into the Pics' area allowed Danny Mitchley to capitalise on 'keeper Veiga's hesitancy and head home from 12 yards out, only to be denied his fourth goal in three games by the Assistant's raised flag for offside.

The simmering opening exchanges came to a head midway through the half as visiting midfielder Walters was cautioned for dissent, before James Short's late tackle thirty seconds later saw the left-back receive similar punishment from the referee. From the resulting free-kick Rushall centre-back Eze headed a yard or so wide of goal from near the penalty mark.

On the half hour mark Rushall came close to taking the lead as Reid latched onto a through ball and cut in from the left before shooting right-footed, however his effort was deflected inches wide of Calvin Hare's left-hand upright by Liam Goulding's tremendous last-ditch challenge. The subsequent corner was half-cleared and eventually fell to Fitzpatrick whose shot was held securely by Hare.

At the other end winger Joe Mwasile created the space to centre but his low, inswinging cross was held by Veiga at his near-post.

Just before the break Mitchley's clever chested lay-off found the onrushing Billy Smart whose shot from 25 yards rolled comfortably wide of target.

The second-half started with the MTA faithful hoping for an improvement in quality on a first half in which the football had seemed an unwelcome and unnecessary distraction.

They didn't have long to wait as Hessey's troops took the lead on 47 minutes, Mwasile again marauding down the left flank before laying the ball back just behind Craig Lindfield's run, but Smart arrived on the scene to despatch a fine side-footed finish into the top corner of the Crosender Road net from 15 yards.

Unfortunately for the Crosby side their lead was to last for just four minutes as the Pics responded with an equally well-taken goal. Forde layed the ball back for Martin to cross from the left, Ryan O'Hare's headed clearance reached Walters a couple of yards outside the box and the midfielder took a touch before placing a fine finish just inside Hare's left-hand post.

On the hour mark Olympic recycled possession following a corner from their left, the ball reaching Fitzpatrick who fired high and wide of goal from 25 yards out.

The game's flashpoint occurred on 69 minutes as the visitors were, unsurprisingly to many observers, reduced to ten men. A scrappy period of play in midfield ended with Brizell and Martin challenging strongly for the ball, the Marine skipper playing the ball and being caught by Martin's wild lunge. Referee Watson was well-placed and after allowing Martin to get to his feet, dismissed the Rushall left-back for the foul.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the visitors then had their best spell of the game as they created and missed a couple of excellent scoring opportunities. On 74 minutes substitute Bottomer advanced down the Pics' right before firing in a low cross which evaded Brizell, but Reid couldn't provide the finish as the ball trickled well wide of target.

In the final ten minutes both sides had chances to snatch victory, a free-kick for Rushall being flicked on towards skipper Kettle, the big centre-back stretching but seeing his effort roll a yard wide of goal with only Hare to beat.

The Mariners then spurned a gilt-edged chance of their own as sub Warren Bellew swung a free-kick over from their left, banana-bedecked custodian Veiga losing the flight of the ball completely but Smart was unable to capitalise, the midfielder's header flying narrowly wide of goal.

As the game entered added time Olympic were afforded one final sight of goal, being awarded a free-kick in a central position 25 yards out. The profligate Fitzpatrick stepped up and promptly sent his effort into the back row of the Main Stand as the game ended in stalemate.

The Mariners' next fixture sees them travel to Keys Park to face Hednesford Town on Monday evening, the Staffordshire side having been relegated from National League North at the end of last season, kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Marine: Calvin Hare, Lewis Field, James Short, Liam Goulding, Ryan O'Hare (Sean Myler 81), Josh Brizell (c), Alex Davies (Warren Bellew 86), Billy Smart, Danny Mitchley, Craig Lindfield, Joe Mwasile (Chad Whyte 90).

Unused subs: Liam Willis, Adam Hughes. Cautions: Short, O'Hare.

Rushall Olympic: Jose Veiga, Aris Christophou, Zak Martin, Aaron Forde, Henry Eze, Joel Kettle (c), Marlon Walters, Bradley Lawley (Bilal Yafai 71), Josh McKenzie (Luke Bottomer 73), Jordan Fitzpatrick, Alex Reid.

Unused subs: Sam Whittle, Mo Diop, Dean Keats. Cautions: Walters. Sent Off: Martin.

Goals: Marine; Smart (47)
Rushall Olympic; Walters (51)

Referee: Dean Watson
Assistants: David Chisnall and Ian Claridge

Attendance: 282