HARTPURY FC picked up their first Southern League Division One South point of the season after battling out a goalless draw with Paulton Rovers at Winterfield Stadium.

The Acorns created plenty of opportunities during Saturday’s contest but were unable to find the finishing touch, while goalkeeper Seth Locke produced important saves at the other end to secure a clean sheet.

Paulton registered the first effort on target after 12 minutes when Lenny Johnson met the ball with a volley from six yards, only for Locke to make an excellent sprawling save.

Hartpury quickly began creating chances of their own. Nathan Jenkins curled narrowly wide after nutmegging his marker before Kian Davies cut inside from the right and sent an effort past the post.

Louis Manning and Morgan Ewing both saw shots blocked before Davies forced Rovers goalkeeper Archie Matthews into action with a low drive after being released by Manning.

Manning then had an effort deflected wide after Jenkins picked him out inside the penalty area, while Davies fired over from 18 yards as Hartpury continued to press.

Jenkins had a long-range attempt beaten away and Ewing saw another shot deflected behind before Davies almost broke the deadlock shortly before half-time. Matthews spilled his strike from 18 yards but recovered before Hartpury could capitalise.

Chances proved harder to come by following the restart, with Jenkins seeing a swing at a loose ball blocked before Paulton’s Tom Beeson fired over from 12 yards.

The hosts began to grow into the contest and Riley McGregor produced an excellent lunging block to prevent Paulton from taking the lead after 65 minutes.

McGregor then threatened at the opposite end with a low free-kick which Matthews gathered comfortably.

Hartpury pushed again during the closing stages. Ewing had an effort deflected behind before Cameron Walters and McGregor were unable to make contact with the resulting corner.

Ewing threatened again after using his pace to beat his marker, but his attempted finish underneath Matthews was saved and cleared.

The Acorns also needed some strong defending as Paulton looked dangerous on the break, with Keon Sanniola producing a well-timed tackle to halt one promising attack.

Hartpury came agonisingly close to finding a winner in the final minute of normal time when Jenkins sent a well-weighted ball over the top towards substitute Joao Silva, who was inches away from making the decisive connection.

Paulton applied late pressure and nearly snatched all three points in stoppage time, but Locke turned a headed effort over the crossbar to preserve Hartpury’s clean sheet and ensure the points were shared. Hartpury could also take encouragement from their resilience throughout the afternoon, with the defensive display ensuring their sustained attacking pressure was ultimately rewarded with a point.

The result gave Hartpury their first league point of the new campaign following their opening-day defeat.

They now turn their attention to cup competition, with Weymouth visiting next Saturday in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round as the Acorns look to build on a solid defensive display.