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Whyteleafe struggled against an in-form Burgess Hill side but will be happy to come away from the game with a point as they didn't have a single shot on target and had to play most of the second half with ten men.
The first half was a fairly dull affair with the hosts having the few chances that were created. In the eighth minute Danny Curd broke clear of the 'Leafe defence but Rob O'Hara was quickly out to smother his shot. Six minutes later, Hillians most dangerous player Will Berry shot wide from 25 yards.
Curd was through again in the 24th minute but shot wide and in the 32nd minute, O'Hara made a great save with his feet to deny Berry, turning the ball over the bar. Leafe had no chances to speak of in the half, just a couple of crosses from Chris O'Flaherty that were comfotably dealt with by debutant keeper Chris Winterton.
The second half started little better. Leo Day was booked for a late challenge on Darryl Coleman then in the 54th minute, O'Hara rushed out of goal to try and deal with a breakaway but handled the ball which left the referee little option but to send him off. Ryan Royston, 'Leafe's best defender up to that point took over in goal and looked comfortable making a couple of crucial punched clearances and commanding his area well.
But the hosts will be ruing the fact that their shooting was awful, failing to test Royston despite several clear chances.
The game became a bit niggly with one or two late challenges, and ex Croydon Athletic player Bradley Duke was lucky to escape punishment for lashing out at Dan Aldous and shoving Leon McDowall into the fencing surrounding the pitch.
Berry was guilty of missing a sitter from 3 yards in the 65th minute, then he went close in the 72nd minute shooting just over the bar. Leafe's most dangerous moment came in the 73rd minute when an O'Flaherty free kick just eluded the head of Aldous and was headed over the bar to safety by defender Danny Gainsford.
'Leafe's ten men looked better than they had done with eleven and battled well to hold on for a hard earned point.
Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Fleming, Aldous, O'Flaherty, Coleman R, Royston, Goodchild, Hammond (Head 71), McDowell, Watson (Platel 77), Coleman D (McCann 77).