But there was a price to pay as midfielder Dean Brennan was sent off with 17 minutes remaining and he will miss the Canaries game at Chesham on March 1st.

Manager Robbie O'Keefe was delighted with his team's display, however. "I was so impressed by our work rate. If we play like that, we will get out of trouble," he said.

Hitchin had the best chances to win the game at Kingsmeadow although Kingstonian struck the woodwork. Carl Drew in the early stages went close when he glanced a Brennan free kick wide of the target.

Kingstonian's centre forward, Tim Sills, a player who always causes the Canaries problems, forced James Robinson into a good save and Phil Wingfield headed against the bar in the first half. New signing Scott Edgar also went close after a defensive slip.

Just before Brennan's dismissal, Matt Nolan had the best opportunity of the game, denied only by the substantial frame of Kingstonian goalkeeper Lance Key.

Brennan talked his way into the book and then proceeded to argue with the referee, earning himself two yellow cards. But Hitchin were not deterred from their task and worked hard to secure a much-needed point. James Ayres and Matt Childs performed heroics in defence and Nolan's trickery frustrated the Kingstonian players as time ran out for the home side.