With fellow play-off contenders Boro Rangers next up at the Calvert Stadium on Tuesday, it makes for a very competitive end to the season for Town, who also have to visit third-placed Blyth.

This was only Northallerton’s second goalless home draw of the season and it was a contest that kept the crowd enthralled. With Blue Star dominating the first half, Jason Newall’s side turned the tables on the Tynesiders after the break and forced visiting ‘keeper Dan Lister into a couple of vital saves.

Lewis Cocks was back in defence in place of Terry Galbraith, Lee Hume replaced James Coatsworth in midfield and Dan Dryden was back to lead the attack, with Tafari Nicholas reverting to the bench.

Town’s defence had to absorb a lot of pressure from Blue Star in the opening period and ‘keeper Callum Dobson was as solid as ever, making smart saves from lively midfielder Rio Joisce, Newcastle skipper Connor Oliver and forward Michael Ndiweni.

The balance shifted in Northallerton’s favour after the break, with Nathan Stephenson always eager to try his luck from set-pieces around the box. He was narrowly off-target with a couple of efforts and ‘keeper Lister impressed with a couple of good saves as the home side stepped up the pressure.

Blue Star were always a threat on the break, however, and Dobson had to be alert to tip a looping header from Jack Walker on to the bar and safety.

Neither side could apply the finishing touch in a thrilling end-to-end finale, but a draw was a fair result on the day.

Northallerton Town: Dobson, Dale, Cocks (Galbraith 64), Darville, Harwood, Allen, Stapley (Banks 71), A Walker, Dryden (Nicholas 80), Stephenson, Hume.

Subs not used: Coatsworth, Tew.

Newcastle Blue Star: Lister, Barclay, Dopson (Daley 69), Oliver, Macleod, J Walker, Joisce, Van Zanduliet, Lanning (Osiyemi 83), Ndiweni, Mitchell (Heppell 69).

Sub not used: Emmerson.

Man of the Match: Jamie Harwood.