Wide men Simon Sweeney and Adam Martin were both heavily involved during the first half, the former crashing the ball against Bashley stopper David Elms' near post after 20 minutes.

The latter set up Chris Dillon for arguably Hemel's best chance of the first half after half an hour, but the unmarked forward guided his header agonisingly over the crossbar.

Steve Wales also went close twice from long range. Elms did well to keep out his fierce 20 yard effort as well as an audacious 40 yard lob minutes before the break.

But in an end to end first 45, a hatful of chances also came the way of the visitors.

The Tudors always looked vulnerable from set pieces and crosses, and Brown was grateful when a free header bounced tamely into his hands.

Hemel were lucky to go in at the break on level terms as it turned out.

Richard Gillespie found himself one on one with Brown after gliding unnoticed through the Tudors' defence, but he somehow managed to put the bouncing ball over the bar.

Bashley began the brighter in the second 45, though Hemel gradually worked their way back into the game and continued to test the in-form Elms.

Then first real chance of the half came 25 minutes in and again fell to Dillon, but it was a case of déjà vu for Hemel's number 9 as he saw his header cannon back off the crossbar.

To add to his frustrations he was inches away from flicking Steve Wales' cross-come-shot into the net, while Wales saw his powerful drive from 10 yards superbly saved by the Bashley keeper.

With injury time lurking, Bashley substitute Joe Fisher hooked man of the match Martin's shot off the line to cap a disappointing night for Hemel.

Though it could have been worse for the home side.

Bashley were limited to mainly long range efforts during the second period - Brown dealing with all the visitors could throw at him.

But the Tudors' number 1 could have done nothing to stop the late efforts of Matt Parnell and Nic Eastham, but fortunately both missed the target from barely six yards to leave the scoresheet blank.

The scoreless draw has only added to manager Steve Bateman's desire to add another forward to his squad.

Chris Marsh, frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities, has decided to leave for lower-league Aylesbury, whil Ian Cooper is still lacking match fitness and sharpness.

"We are creating chances but they have got to start going in, said Bateman. "I can't explain it. It's like we're cursed at home.

"I'm actively looking at adding to our front options and I'm optimistic of someone being in place by the weekend.

"Chris (Dillon) and Gary (Sippetts) need some additional support, and I wouldn't rule out a three pronged attack."

Hemel's young blood well get an outing tonight in the FA Youth Cup as they take on Waltham Abbey at home, kick off 7.45pm, while the first team entertain Cambridge City this Saturday.

And Bateman believes there are lessons to be learned from Tuesday's draw and Saturday's 6-1 hammering of Stourbridge.

"When we went two up against Stourbridge there was no way they were coming back," Bateman added. "It's all about confidence."