Kendal Town 0-0 Lancaster City

In a game of few chances, the Dolly Blues will feel the most disappointed not to have snatched the win after dominating most of the first half.

In a game that looked like Lancaster City past versus present, the Kendal Town squad featured no less than eight former Blues players with seven in the starting line up.

With Aaron Taylor and Tom Kilifin both absent, there was a return to action for Simon Wearing who partnered Matty Poole up front.

Josh Draycott had the first chance of the game for the visitors as his powerful low drive from 20 yards was tipped round the post by Mintcakes stopper Danny Eccles.

City were then seemingly denied a penalty when Poole was bundled over in the box as he went to strike Sam Bailey’s cross, but referee Natalie Walker waved away the appeals.

Late in the opening half, Ryan Winder’s corner was met by the acrobatic volley from skipper Neil Marshall 10 yards from the goal, but the defender’s left-footed effort drifted over the bar. The teams ended the opening period level in a fairly entertaining half, with City showing promise but lacking cutting edge in the final third.

The second half was a more even affair with City playing down the slope, and it was the hosts who created the best chance of the game as George Mason split the Blues’ defence racing onto Craig Carney’s through ball.

His low strike was denied by a superb reaction save from Lancaster keeper Mike Hale, who has proved to be a real match winner over the course of the season.

It looked like the all important save might have snatched Lancaster the points with just minutes remaining in the game.

A goalmouth scramble was hooked goalwards by Garry Hunter, with the deflected effort headed off the line and cleared to safety.

Whilst another clean sheet will always be welcomed by City boss Darren Peacock, this game again highlighted how the lack of goals from the Dolly Blues has continued to cost the team play-off chasing points throughout the campaign.

Star Man: Sam Bailey