PAULTON ROVERS 0 GOSPORT BOROUGH 0

Despite dominating large chunks of this match Rovers were forced to settle for a draw in a game that was fortunately better than the score line would suggest. The home defence managed to keep veteran striker, Steve Claridge, under control but it was his partner, Justin Bennett, who came closest to breaking the deadlock on two occasions.

Ben Lacey caused the visitors some early problems, initially setting up Stuart Tovey for a cross that James Billing headed just over the bar and then twice shooting just wide. In between Bennett should have done better with a chance in the 3rd minute but shot weakly across goal and wide of the far post.

There were chances at both ends as Dan Cleverley blocked a clearance with fell to Craig Loxton 20 yards out and his measured shot went across the keeper and just wide of the far post. However the closest either side came to scoring in the opening period came on the half hour as a Borough throw in on the left was hooked across goal and Bennett’s overhead kick looked goal bound until Scott Brice, facing his own goal, somehow cleared the ball off the line. Rovers then missed a good chance as Jack Allward’s great run ended with him being brought down just outside the Borough box and although the free kick was blocked, Steve Bridges’ cross from the left saw Billing head just wide.

A similar pattern developed after the interval as Allward tested the keeper immediately after the restart and Bennett failed to hit the target from the edge of the box when Rovers made a rare defensive mistake. Rovers then missed a great chance on 54 minutes as Tovey’s cross from the right found Billing at the far post but he failed to get his header on target. Rovers felt they should have had a penalty on 62 minutes as Billing headed on Loxton’s ball forward and Cleverley went down under a challenge, but nothing was given.

Both sides pressed for a winner and with 5 minutes left the Borough keeper sent a free kick from just inside his own half into the Rovers’ box. It was cleared only as far as Bennett and his snap shot came back off the post. Then in injury time another great cross from Tovey picked out substitute, Jamie Taylor, but his header went straight at the keeper.

Rovers: Phillips, Tovey, Allward, Osman (Jeffries 85 mins), Mapstone, Brice, Bridges, Loxton, Billing (Taylor 75 mins), Cleverley (C), Lacey.
Subs not used: Price, Mahdi, Drewett.

Star Man: Jack Allward (Rovers)

Referee: Andrew Newell
Assts: Jozsef Madaras / Bradley Savage.

Attendance: 198