MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0 BROMLEY 0

BOTH Macclesfield and Bromley came into this game unbeaten and left unscathed after leaving their shooting boots at home.

Ingenuity was required to create any chances in a quiet first half, as both sides battled for domination.

Koby Arthur tried his luck for the hosts early on with an overhead kick from the penalty spot, while Brett Williams produced a spectacular volley from the edge of the box on the halfhour mark, but neither effort tested the goalkeepers.

Arthur was in the mix of things again as he went down under pressure in the penalty box, but his appeals earned no response from the referee and play continued. The intensity only increased as legs began to tire late on in the second half, and though both sides created a number of opportunities, neither could capitalise as the two teams secured a point each.

Bromley manager Neil Smith was left with mixed emotions afterwards, saying: “I’m very disappointed in the way we played but I’m absolutely delighted with the point that we did gain.

“They put us under some really serious pressure today and I thought our back four did really well.

“It could have been better, but away from home we’ll take a point and a clean sheet, I can’t ask for anymore.” Macclesfield boss John Askey shared the disappointment of his opposite number, but with the added frustrations of the referee’s decisions too. He said: “We’re really pleased with the clean sheet but we missed the target too many times. I thought it was a penalty on Koby – the referee kept giving fouls for little nudges and that was the most blatant one of the day. I’m just pleased the effort was there.”