Dunstable Town grind out valuable goalless draw at Royston Town

Leaders Dunstable Town battled to a fine goalless draw at Royston Town to claim a valuable Calor Southern League Division One Central Point on Boxing Day.

Earlier in the season the two had battled out a 2-2 draw at Creasey Park and both teams again had to settle for a share of the spoils as Dunstable stretched their unbeaten league run to 13 games.

The result keeps Town top of the divisions, just one point ahead of Rugby Town, but with a game in hand, after they overcame Daventry Town 2-1.

There was little to choose between the sides as they both fought to gain the upper hand, with Leon Cashman and Chris Marsh having two shots saved.

For the Crows, both Ryan Ingrey and Kaan Fehmi managed efforts on target, but these were saved by Jamie Head.

The pace of the second half lessened as the heavy pitch caught up with both teams.

But there was still plenty of end-to-end action with set-pieces looking the most likely route to goal for both sides.

However, these were either met by fine keeping or were put wide.

Dunstable gambled as they brought on an extra striker at the expense of a midfielder, but they simply could not break down a very organised Royston defence.

The Blues enjoyed some late pressure, but substitute Nathan Frater blazed a late free-kick wide.

This Saturday Dunstable host Chalfont St Peter, on New Year’s Day they entertain Leighton Town and the following Saturday head to Beaconsfield SYCOB.

Crows: Will Norris, Ross Collins (C),Taylor Parr, Jack Bradshaw, Lewis Endacott, Sam Spencer, Carl Edwards, Ryan Ingrey, Kaan Fehmi, Ryan Lockett, Mitch Bryant. Substitutes not used: Jhai Dhillon, Ade Cambridge, Luke Robins, Craig Hammond, Rob Mason.

Blues: Jamie Head, Danny Hutchins, Leon Cashman, Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C), Adam Watkins, Danny Ryan (Nathan Frater 61), Lee Roache, Stefan Bailey, Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Taishan Griffith, Tony Fontanelle, Harrison Carr, Louis Porcelli.

Referee: Paul Forrester.

Assistant Referees: Peter Parkin and Ian Corner.

Attendance: 208.