FC Halifax Town missed the chance to climb into the National League play-off places as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Sutton.

The visitors left with the point they needed to ensure they stayed inside the top seven and might have had more had Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson not been alert to make a smart first-half stop from Lewis Simper.

The draw ended a run of three straight league victories for Sutton, who had thrust themselves into promotion contention following last season’s relegation from League Two.

Halifax came close to winning it in the second half when Angelo Cappello crossed for substitute Tom Pugh who directed his header fractionally over the bar.