But for the third time in four games they failed to find the back of the net as they were forced to settle for a point.

They created opportunities, notably a first half header for Nigel Jemson, but the majority were outside the area which made it easier than it might have been for Durham.

When the Shaymen passed the ball they looked by far the better side.

On the occasions they switched play and attacked down the flanks they looked capable of cutting through the visitors' defence.

But there were still signs of the deficiencies of the opening three games: lapses in possession and a lack of a cutting edge.

Durham started brightly with Lewis Dodds firing in a shot from the edge of the area and Jimmy Farrell having another effort blocked by Steve Payne.

But Town showed early signs of improvement in the 10th minute when Jonathan Smith left a ball for Nigel Jemson who fed Brown wide on the left.

He took on a defender before pulling the ball towards the near post where Smith fired narrowly wide under pressure.

Smith and Brown inked well again soon after, but the final ball forward was too strong for Dorryl Proffitt.

And Jon Kennedy was forced into his first meaningful action midway through the first half when he saved a Colin Smith shot that deflected off Craig Smith.

After that the first half belonged almost exclusively to the Shaymen who passed the ball round crisply and with purpose.

Peter Moore played a ball through for Jonathan Smith who raced into the area on the right only to see his shot saved by the legs of Durham keeper Craig Turns.

Craig Smith released Brown again soon after and he surged into the area on the left.

After beating Stephen Harrison on the outside he stood the ball up for Jemson who headed down, but side from 10 yards.

And there was another chance late in the opening period when Tom Harban picked out the run of Jonathan Smith down the right but, after beating his marker, he could only fire wide from the edge of the area.

Town looked to be carrying on in the same vein after the break when Harban played the ball towards Proffitt who dummied to allow Jemson to take control, but his return pass was a shade too strong.

And Jonathan Smith tried his luck from distance but curled his shot wide of the target.

Tommy English forced a good save from Kennedy before the same player crossed for Jimmy Farrell whose powerful header flew back across the face of goal and wide.

Town almost broke the deadlock after 66 minutes when Justin Walker knocked a free kick short for Jonathan Smith whose powerfully struck shot was deflected behind for a corner.

And when Brown delivered from the left Payne got his head to the ball only to loop it up and into the keeper's arms.

Town just let the pace drop for a brief spell during which English fired in a left foot shot and John Toft sent an effort wide of the target.

But the Shaymen staged a stirring late rally and could have bagged a late winner.

Neil Ross flicked on a Kennedy ball for Brown whose lay off was fired over the top by Jonathan Smith.

And with five minutes remaining Luke Hinsley crossed deep for Peter Moore who got up well to head the ball down, but Turns saved at the second attempt.

The late pressure continued with another thunderous Jonathan Smith shot that was headed clear by Laws.

And Brown's 90th-minute effort was heading for goal until Turns flung himself to his left to tip it round the corner.

Even in the second minute of added time Town were still pushing forward, but Lincoln Adams was unable to get enough power on a Brown corner to get it past the keeper.

Star Shayman
Having recovered from the shingles, Junior Brown was able to show the Town fans what they can expect from him this season.
The tricky winger was a constant thorn in Durham City's side, giving the visitors' skipper Stephen Harrison a tough afternoon.
And no one would have complained had his last gasp shot found the back of the net rather than being pushed round the post by the keeper.
Nigel Jemson was only on the pitch for 64 minutes, but he showed enough in that time to raise the spirits of the Town fans.
The only blot on an impressive display was the header from 10 yards that went just the wrong side of the post.
Jonathan Smith has his critics - manager Jim Vince was among them on Saturday.
But going forward the midfielder is a man to be reckoned with.
On more than one occasion he was on the end of good moves and all that was missing was the killer touch.
Brown takes the three points on offer in our season-long competition with Jemson two and Smith three

Match facts
FC Halifax Town: Kennedy, Harban, C.Smith (King 77), Adams, Payne, Walker, Moore, J Smith, Jemson (Ross 64), Proffitt (Hinsley 80). Subs (not used): Senior, Woolley.
Booked: None
Sent-off: None
Goals: None

Durham City: Turns, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Dixon, Laws. Smith, Houlahan, Chapman (Morris 67), Farrell (Toft 61), English. Subs (not used): Fisher, Richardson.
Booked: Laws (foul 88)
Sent-off: None
Goals: None

Attendance: 1,130
Referee: Craig Grundy

Player points
Junior Brown 6, Jonathan Smith 4, Steve Payne 3, Lincoln Adams 3, Nigel Jemson 2, Craig Smith 2, Peter Moore 2, Ashley Stott 1, Phil Senior 1.

You say
Unlucky town deserved a win. Junior man of match for me. Defence need to be more confident. Good game though- The Turnbull