DEAN Coleman saved a penalty to preserve a point for Halesowen Town in their season opener.

The stopper clawed out Samuel Charles’ spot-kick low to his left with 16 minutes remaining to ensure the game remained goalless.

Earlier, Samuel Emati-Emati hit the bar for the visitors while Weymouth keeper Tom Manley kept out David Stone’s effort.

The Yeltz could have won the game late on but substitute Nathan Smith was denied by Manley from close range.

This was a solid, if unspectacular start to the season for the home side who named former Aston Villa trainee Ryan Amoo along with ex-Solihull Moors defender Lee Ayres in their starting line-up.

Much of the drama happened off the pitch as kick-off was delayed until 3.35pm after Weymouth were held up in traffic.

Wantaway striker Stefan Moore was then originally named on the bench only to be replaced by Adam Jarrett ten minutes before kick-off, while spectators were treated to an impressive lightening storm near the end of the first half.

When the action did get underway it was Weymouth who should have taken the lead on nine minutes. Emati-Emati beat the off-side trap to go clear but his lob over Coleman cannoned back off the bar, before Yeltz skipper Craig Connor brilliantly blocked Simon Radcliffe’s follow up on the line.

Coleman looks like being an excellent acquisition and showed excellent reflexes to keep out Charles’ low drive at the near post, after the striker had gone clear later in the half.

Despite those efforts it was the Yeltz who slightly shaded the first period. Visiting stopper Manley had to be sharp to keep out Stone at point blank range, after the striker had been played in by Michael Nardiello’s clever reverse pass.

Lee Osborne twice went close, first lifting a shot just over the bar after turning his marker before then driving wide after another insightful Nardiello ball.

Michael Hayden’s drive forced Manley into another smart stop as the second half began but the game then went flat, with little action of note until Weymouth were awarded their penalty with 16 minutes left.

The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot after Ayres brought down Richard Groves but the decision was not without controversy as the ball had run to Warren Byerley who fired past Coleman.

The visiting management clearly felt the whistle had been blown too hastily and their displeasure only increased as Coleman kept out Charles’ soft spot-kick, before gathering Byerley’s panicked follow-up.

A rejuvenated Yeltz laid siege to the Weymouth area in the closing minutes but created only one chance of note, as Manley spread himself to deny Smith at point blank range.

YELTZ: Coleman, Connor (c), Hayden, Moore, Ayres, Amoo, Taylor, Johnson, Nardiello (Smith 63), Stone, Osborne (Izquierdo 71) Subs not used: Jarrett, Fullwood, Gater.

WEYMOUTH: Manley, Oldring, Dixon, Clarke, Gerrino, Mawer, Magookin (McGuniess 65), Groves, Emati-Emati (Byerley 69), Charles, Radcliffe Subs not used: Halloran, Tribe, Litherland.