NO GOALS BUT PLENTY OF ACTION AT TOP FIELD

Valley ground out another BGB point at Top Field last night, although they will count themselves unlucky not to have captured all three after a much improved second half performance.

Hitchin had dominated the first period, but Rugby had managed to survive unscathed - mainly thanks to some poor finishing from the home side and one particular save of note by keeper Simon Lynn from Wayne Mills's shot from the edge of the box.

Earlier Lance Gentle King had headed over from close range, with Rugby's only real chance of the half falling to Leigh Platnauer - who saw his strike from 12 yards blocked in a crowded goalmouth, after Canaries' keeper Ricky Perks had parried David Staff's original effort.

The visitors looked brighter from the off in the second though, with their first chance falling to Tom Breward who saw his attempted long-range lob fly just over the bar. Then in a fifteen minute spell midway through the half, David Stone and Staff continually got in behind the Hitchin defence - only to find Perks in impressive form.

Perks pulled off his best stop of the night, when he kept out Staff's curling effort from 20 yards on 77 minutes, and then a minute later was fortunate to see Stone's shot from the left bounce off the inside of the post and into his hands.

The game opened up in its closing minutes, with both sides pushing forward in search of a victory. Hitchin substitute Leon Simpson twice squandered headers in threatening positions, and Stone brought one final save from Perks, who touched over the in-form striker's powerful drive.

Valley Line-up: Lynn 6, Stringfellow 7, Morley 6, Herbert 6, Platnauer 6, BREWARD 8*, Blake 6, Edge 6, Aladetoun 5, Stone 8, Staff 7.
Sub not used: McGrath, Gordon, Harris, Kabongo, Manak.
Booked: Blake, Breward.
Sent Off: None

Report by Jon Venner.