Didcot Town’s winless run extended to six games after a goalless draw at Paulton Rovers in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League. As it transpired, the best chance was in the first minute. Paulton’s Brandon Barnes bore down on goal, but Didcot keeper Craig Griffiths narrowed the angle and pushed the shot to safety.

Michael McKirnan was off target with a 25-yard strike in a rare Didcot foray, before Griffiths again kept Rovers at bay with a fine one-handed stop at his near post from Marcus Mapstone’s header.

The second half, if anything, was even more subdued than the first, especially from a Paulton point of view. Barnes failed to convert a couple of half chances that came his way and with the hosts increasingly content to preserve the draw they required to book their play-off berth, Didcot were encouraged to push forward. A weaving run by Joel Meade culminated in a shot on target, but it had insufficient power to worry Kyle Phillips. As the game ticked into the final minutes, the Railwaymen had one last opportunity. A fine delivery from Sam Elkins found fellow defender Luke Carnell lurking at the back post, but his downward header drew a smart save from Phillips.

Didcot Tn: Griffiths, Elkins, Stanley, Osborne-Ricketts, Carnell, Wray, Noble (Tappin 61), McKirnan, Henderson, Meade, Williams. Sub not used: Allaway.

Attendance: 205.