Bradford Park Avenue 0, Brackley Town 0

IT WAS a dour struggle between two sides with little self-belief but the point earned from a goalless draw was enough of a positive for Bradford Park Avenue as it brought an end to their five-match losing run.

Last season's clashes between Avenue and Northamptonshire opponents Brackley were promotion battles but both clubs have started badly this time.

Brackley were second bottom and Avenue a lowly 17th in the Vanarama Conference North table before kick-off.

Avenue actually lost further ground after the draw, dropping one place, but boss John Deacey was pleased with the performance.

"I was disappointed not to get anything from that second half but overall I'm happy with the display and the attitude of the players," he said.

"It is a point earned and a clean sheet and we have to take those as positives. It's all about getting confidence back – but to build that we have to lay little bricks here and there and this starts that process.

"Confidence was at its lowest ebb after the 5-0 home defeat (to Oxford City) last Monday and this is the first step away from where we were after that game.

"I thought we played well first half and even better in the second half but our final ball was lacking.

"Brackley defended well, so full credit to them for that, but I felt with a bit more quality in and around their box we could have won."

Brackley played two thirds of the game with an outfield player in goal after keeper Jon Viscosi suffered an injury. But Avenue failed to test the stand-in mainly because of a towering display from Town skipper and centre back Ryan Austin.

He was immense and dealt with almost everything Avenue pumped into the visitors' area. When called on, Sam Whittall – who began the game in central midfield – threw his body in the way to somehow block the way to goal.

Avenue began reasonably well and an early move was started by quick thinking and accurate distribution from debutant John Danby. The former Chester keeper was drafted in on Friday to take over from the retiring John Lamb.

Danby sent Joe Colbeck away and although his cut-back evaded Brad Barraclough, it found Chib Chilaka but his 16-yard shot lacked power.

Colbeck tried his luck from 40 yards out near the right touchline after Viscosi had a rush of blood but, with the keeper outside his area, the Avenue winger's effort went well wide.

Viscosi, who was also making his debut, was injured as he spilled a deflected cross in the 27th minute and, despite a long spell of treatment on the pitch, he was unable to continue.

Colbeck should have tested stand-in Whittall minutes later but his back-post volley was so wide it almost hit the corner flag.

Avenue built up a head of steam as the second half went on but, despite the pressure being on the visitors' defence, they held out.

Whittall stood tall to deny Chilaka from point-blank range but few other efforts got through.