Redditch United 0, Dunstable Tn 0

REDDITCH were held to a second successive goalless draw as their title aspirations suffered another blow at the hands of visitors Dunstable.

The home side dominated the chances particularly in the second half but were kept at bay by some excellent defending, a number of saves and the woodwork.

The Reds had the best chance of the first period when Luke Shearer beat his marker wide on the right and crossed to the unmarked George Carline only for the midfielder to direct his header straight at keeper Bart Pedrycz.

Dunstable’s Gary Wharton fizzed a 25-yard effort wide while Robbie Thompson-Brown scraped the crossbar with a long-range effort.

But the second half was one-way traffic as the Reds looked for the goal to keep their title hopes alive.

Jordan Culinane-Liburd directed an effort at keeper Pedrycz from two yards out before Sammons was denied by a low save on the hour.

Midway through the half, Sam Merson put a shot just wide and then, soon after, a brilliant acrobatic effort from the striker cannoned against the crossbar and bounced back into the keeper’s hands.

With 15 minutes to go, a trademark long throw from Merson fell to Will Richards but his header flew just wide of the far post.

Referee Kevin Morris played six minutes of added on time but that wasn’t enough for the Reds to break through the dogged defence brilliantly marshalled by Adam Pepera.

The draw means Redditch are level on points with leaders Poole but have played two games more.

Reds: Veiga 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Flanagan 7, CARLINE 8, Mutton 6, Richards 7, Thompson-Brown 6 (Hallahan 82), Loveridge 7, Shearer 5 (Ellis 66, 5), Sammons 6 (Bako 88), Merson 8. Subs (not used): Young, Moreton.