NEEDHAM M 0 HAVANT & W 0

HAVANT lost ground on leaders Bognor when they were unable to overcome play-off contenders Needham Market thanks to a star-man display by Marketmen keeper Danny Gay.

The visitors settled well and Ryan Woodford thought he had given his side the all-important breakthrough in the opening moments, only for his strike to be disallowed for offside.

Gay shone all afternoon and Needham defender Sam Nunn provided a vital block to deny Havant’s prolific forward Jason Prior.

But with relatively few chances, the game was unsurprisingly goalless at half-time.

Shortly after the interval, the hosts had the opportunity to break the deadlock. Billy Holland’s flick on found a well-placed John Sands, whose acrobatic attempt went over the crossbar.

Then Callum Harrison’s shot from inside the penalty area forced a terrific save from Havant keeper Ryan Youngs, whose fingertips pushed the ball onto the post.

With the game approaching the closing stages, Havant & Waterlooville thought they had won but Prior was once more denied by Gay, his quick reactions ensuring a crucial point which keeps his side three points clear of a tightly-packed chasing group.