ON a day when all eyes were fixed on Danny Andrews and Rob Hopley, it is perhaps inevitable that neither shone against their former club.

Both were cheered loudly, when their names were announced before kick-off, by fans that had revered them as favourites; the former during five seasons with Witton and the latter in eight years at Llanelian Road.

And they played supporting roles in a compelling FA Trophy tie that delivered a draw their respective managers agreed afterwards was probably the right result.

Albion were better in the first half, taking the lead through Steve Tames.

They had reason to complain after referee Scott Simpson failed to award a blatant penalty when Luke Denson floored Hopley inside five minutes.

However the visitors were relieved too that Denson fluffed a spot kick of his own at the other end after goalkeeper Danny Roberts had tripped Tom Schofield.

Will Jones’ attempt also hit a post.

However the Seagulls’ front man was too often left isolated in attack, allowing Carl Macauley’s men an easy passage out of defence.

Tames jabbed a weak shot into custodian Shaun Pearson’s arms after a neat lay-off from Brad Bauress, then the latter’s attempt skimmed an upright after he conjured an opening on the edge of the area.

However it was his careless pass that invited Colwyn Bay to counter on 20 minutes, a raid that ended with Andrews’ assist sending Schofield clear.

The midfielder nudged the ball beyond Roberts, who sent him sprawling.

Denson’s penalty was as badly directed as it was feeble, and Albion’s number one saved easily.

The full-back will have felt worse when Pearson spilled Tom Owens’ shot at the other end, and an alert Tames gleefully sent the loose ball back past him.

Hopley had a fleeting glimpse of goal when Louis Corrigan’s header back to his net-minder lacked power, but the striker’s connection was not firm enough to double Albion’s lead.

Bay drew level seven minutes after the interval when Jones leapt highest to meet Corrigan’s corner with a thumping header.

Macauley responded by sending on Tolani Omotola, replacing Billy Reeves, to form a three-man attack with Hopley and Tames.

However it ceded the initiative to the hosts in midfield, and Schofield had a goal ruled out when he helped in Gary Burnett’s cross from a position inside the six-yard box.

Omotola picked Gareth Grant’s pocket on 76 minutes, but his arching cross was inches in front of a stretching Hopley at the far post.

Captain Anthony Gardner’s goal-bound attempt, after corner dropped at his feet, was deflected wide by a defender as both sides threatened from set pieces in the closing stages.

Neither could conjure a late winner, and if they had it would have felt harsh on their opponents.

Instead Andrews and Hopley will have a second chance to knock out their old team in a replay on Tuesday.

Colwyn Bay | 4-2-3-1 | Pearson (GK), Denson, Grant, Hardwick, Corrigan, Armstrong, Schofield, Andrews, Booth (Kelleher 90), Burnett, Jones Subs not used Wolland (GK), Turner, Pino, Dowling Goal Jones 53

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Hickman, Gardner, Wilson, Devine, Reeves (Omotola 54), Owens, Williams, Bauress (Noon 86), Hopley, Tames Subs not used Garner (GK), Benjamin, Adigun Goal Tames 29 Booked Roberts (foul)

Referee Scott Simpson

Attendance 298