GOALS have been in short supply for Frome Town recently, and this was their third league match in a row without troubling the scoresheet.

But a battling display in midfield and defence earned another priceless point against a Banbury side that could well have won this match in the second half.

Frome were pleased to welcome back Lloyd Matthews into the squad and new signing Sam Wade - son of former Frome and Swansea player Bryan Wade - took his place alongside him on the bench.

With Dean Evans still suspended and Alex Lapham still out with injury, the Frome defence had a solid look to it with normal centre half Tom Evans playing at number six, just in front of the back four.

Frome were a little slow out of the blocks at the start of the match, with Banbury dominating procedures, but the eighth minute saw a half-chance as a left wing corner was headed wide by Josh Brigham from a promising position.

Frome started to have more possession, and a series of free kicks around the Banbury came and went without real incident.

Tom Evans bravely blocked a shot from Adeoye Yusuff in the 21st minute, and the resulting corner led to the ball pinging around in the Frome area, with a confident shout for a Banbury penalty turned down by the referee.

Though there was plenty of endeavour from both sides, the half certainly wasn’t a classic and although Frome had a good spell around the 40th minute that led to several blocked shots, neither keeper was really troubled and the crowd looked forward to something better in the second half to warm their hands.

A first-minute free kick from Dave Gilroy was easily blocked by the Banbury wall, and then Banbury had a golden chance to take the lead, but Yussuff blazed high and wide from close range after numerous missed clearance chances in the Frome box.

The 50th minute saw Yussuff denied by an excellent Darren Chitty save as he shot from close range after a good run from Michael Hopkins had set up the chance.

As the half progressed, Banbury moved into the driving seat and had more possession and territory, with Frome defending in depth and looking to counter attack.

Wade and Lloyd Matthews both came on as subs, but the real penetrating pass never really happend until the 67th minute as Jefferies played a fine ball to Wade, but the shot was a little weak and Carter saved easily.

Banbury always looked the side more likely to win the match, and pressure led to Adeyinka Talabi shooting just wide in the 70th and missing a diving header just before the end of normal time.

Injury time saw a Dean Flockton tackle provoke a mass conference of all the players, subs and management, but as the dust settled only two yellows were shown and last kick of the match saw Dave Thompson clear the ball off the Frome goal line to keep the match scoreless.

The “H&B Tyres Man of the Match” award was awarded to Dean Flockton by John Scott Builders  for a resolute display in the heart of the Frome defence.

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