Honours even in close-fought Derby

Defences were on top at the Optima Stadium this afternoon as City and Weston Super Mare shared the points in a hard-fought goalless draw.

Alex Fisher had the ball in the on four minutes but the referee had already blown for an infringement, then two minutes later former Roman Pearson crossed for Reid to steer a shot wide from close range, but chances would be at a premium over the 90 minutes. City’s best opening of the half came on 16 minutes when Scott Wilson low centre picked out Brad Ash but he couldn’t keep his shot down at full stretch. The cagey half ended with incidents at both ends of the pitch. On 42 minutes City almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances when Avery’s attempted clearance hit teammate Seberry and looped over Harris but the keeper recovered to keep the ball out. Then in stoppage time Pearson broke away and shot past Harvey Wiles-Richards but – not for the first time this season – Kieran Parselle raced back to brilliantly clear the ball from off the goalline.

City started the second half brightly as Mitch Beardmore was bundled over in the box but the penalty appeals were waved away. Wilson’s 55th minute shot was well saved by Harris and Parselle headed the resultant corner over. Several testing crosses into the City box were well defended as the Seagulls responded well. With 10 minutes left City fashioned the best opening of the half. Wilson easily held off Chamberlain and cut inside Avery but saw his shot flash wide of the goal. Neither side could fashion any further chances and the game ended in a deserved draw.