Dunstable Town tackle leaders Rugby head on in goalless draw

Dunstable Town’s top-of-the table clash at Rugby Town ended goalless in Calor Southern League Divsion One Central on Saturday.

An absorbing and competitive contest at Butlin Road eventually ended 0-0 as Dunstable stayed second in the table.

Dunstable strove for all three points throughout and almost grabbed them in stoppage time, but Chris Marsh was only able to chest Tony Burnett’s cross just wide.

The Blues had a fresh confidence about them having already beaten the league leaders 3-0 at Creasey Park earlier in the season.

They surprised the bulk of the 504-strong crowd by having the better of the first half with Leon Cashman on top form, drawing superb saves from the home keeper Niall Cooper.

Dunstable’s defence was in miserly mood with centre-half Marc Leach a commanding presence.

An end-to-end second half saw both keepers produce notable saves.

The Valley’s best efforts came from Justin Marsden and David Kolodynski, while Cashman was desperately unfortunate to see his rasper tipped over the bar.

With the game headed for a stalemate both teams had late chances, with Marsh a whisker away from claiming all three points for the visitors deep into stoppage time.

Director of football John McLoughlin added: “It was a great team performance and we were unlucky not to steal all three points at the end.

“We are slowly getting a full squad back and also we are disappointed in not getting all three points, but we will take the draw.

“Lee Roache returns soon and this will help us on our final push.”

This Saturday Dunstable host Aylesbury United and the following Tuesday go to Potters Bar Town.

Valley: Niall Cooper, Ellis Myles, Nathan Fox, Nathan Haines, Alex Gudger (C), Aron King, Greg Kazaboni (Jamie Towers 68), Richard Blythe (Luke Bottomer 60), David Kolodynski, Seb Lake Gaskin (Ben Gallant), Justin Marsden. Substitutes not used: Steve Palmer, Luke Connolly.

Blues: Jamie Head, Jerome Jibidou, Danny Murphy, Joseph Bruce, Marc Leach, Moses Olaleye (C, Newman Carney 55 minutes), Adam Watkins, Leon Cashman, Bernard Christie (Tony Burnett 60), Nathan Frater, Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Ryan Plowright, Tony Fontanelle.

Referee: Ian Rathbone (Northants).

Assistant Referees: Wayne Chalmers (Northants) and Stuart Wade (Leics).

Booked: Jibidou.

Attendance: 504.

Star Blue: Leon Cashman.