Leaders Hanwell held by improving AFC Dunstable

Rebuilding AFC Dunstable held Molten Spartan SML Premier Division title hopefuls Hanwell Town to a goalless draw at Creasey Park on Saturday.

League draw specialists AFC kept the trend going against the championship favourites, but they could have taken all three points if the ball had fallen their way in the dying seconds.

Courtney Massey was benched as Connor Smith, Ryan Quinn and Alfie Maci all started the game.

Manager Steve Heath lost striker Chris Francis to a sickness bug in the morning, right-back Wayne Mills failed a late fitness test and keeper Ryan Darby donned his gloves despite feeling unwell.

Heath said: “I thought I might as well go for it, as my pattern of play from training could not be implemented, so I went for two up front to try and put the pressure on Hanwell.

“It was a superb point against a very good side. I had to make a delicate decision before the game and, with losing two influential players late in the day, my plans were somewhat thrown out of the window, so plan B was put into action.

“Whatever way you look at it, we are now undefeated in four matches and two of those games were against top five sides.

“I am hoping to have Bekim Culaj fit again after his broken toe and hopefully Francis and Mills should be back for the Tring game on Saturday.”

With rivals Berkhamsted losing, Hanwell, who have only lost once this season in the league, were probably happy with the point.

An intriguing affair saw AFC look solid as a unit and, in a game of few chances, Quinn’s superb strike smacked against a post and away to safety on 14 minutes.

Matt Langston and Fabio Bufano marshalled Hanwell’s leading 29-goal striker Bill Healy well all afternoon as the first half resulted in a midfield battle.

The second half continued in the same vein with both teams giving their all as they both enjoyed late gilt-edged chances.

On 81 minutes good work by Healy put in Ricky Pither, but he somehow blazed his strike over the bar.

And in the seventh minute of stoppage time AFC almost snatched victory when great work by Marcus Campbell saw him fire in a low cross, but sub Jamal Harvey was unable sort his feet out from five yards out as the chance vanished and the final whistle went.

AFC go to Tring Athletic this Saturday.

Attendance: 86.