Both managers were left in considerably differing moods post-match on Saturday as Whitton turned over a three-goal deficit to claim a point.

Whereas Hall boss Christian Appleford rued his side’s inability to see out the game after being 3-0 up mid-way through the first half, Whitton boss Paul Bugg was left overjoyed at the way his players responded and rallied to the situation.

“I’m over the moon,” declared a delighted Bugg at full-time.

“We had 11 players missing in total today and, we actually struggled to field a side so that point means a lot more to us.”

When asked what he was thinking at 3-0 down just 22 minutes into the game, Bugg responded:“Can we finish now and go home I think is the honest answer.

“To concede three in a matter of 20 minutes was soul-destroying to be fair because I thought we played quite well before that.”

Bugg continued: “I think the whole team did well, and I think special praise must go to Chrissy Williams (his goal gave Whitton hope). I had a bit of a dig at some of the strikers during the week but he stepped up to the mark as he always does with a great goal – if it wasn’t for his goals last year we wouldn’t be in this league.”

Bugg’s opposite number Appleford wasn’t so joyous at the final whistle after he oversaw his side’s demise.

“It’s disappointing,” he said.

“At 3-0 we’re cruising and I think that’s the trouble – we went 3-0 up Tuesday night (A 3-1 League Cup triumph over Haverhill Rovers) but we had the work rate and desire to continue it, whereas today we thought our job was done.

“We thought that’s it, the foot’s off the pedal, and we’ve defended poorly,

“We were trying to pass on responsibility and we got what we deserved in that respect.”