Southern League

South & West Division

Cinderford Town 0

Merthyr Town 0

THE Causeway pitch survived an afternoon pitch inspection and both sides performed creditably in cold conditions.

Cinderford were without the suspended Matt Barnes as well as Ashley Malcolm, Dale Evans and Matt Smith.

That meant recalls to the starting side for Dave Bird, Josh Emery and Dan Harrison.

Merthyr looked dangerous going forward, but Cinderford found joy on the counter-attack. Andy Lewis, used in a more attacking role, and Dave Bird patrolled the midfield effectively to spring Town forward.

Lewis, Lee Smith and Josh Emery all went close for the home side, who again improved in the second half.

The pitch held up surprisingly well and the Martyrs set the early pace. Town scrambled the ball away on a couple of occasions under sever pressure.

In the second half Cinderford started to get on top, but towards the end of the match it was Merthyr doing most of the pressing.

A scoreless draw always looked on the cards, although Andy Lewis showed superb skill to run half-the-length of the field before being stopped by a last-ditch tackle when about to shoot.

Ten minutes from time, Alex Harris made a brilliant stop at the back post to keep his side level.

Defensively, Cinderford looked sound with Dan Harrison slotting in well alongside Greg Lewis after his loan spell at Westfields.

The Foresters conceded lots of corners, but generally kept a good shape.

Cinderford Town: Alex Harris, Kieran Thomas, Warren Archer (capt), Dan Harrison, Greg Lewis, Jack Camm, Andy Lewis, Dave Bird, Lewis Sommers, Lee Smith, Josh Emery. Subs: Danny Haines, Sam O'Sullivan.