Vauxhall Motors  0 v 0 Eccleshall

 Having won by astonishing 8-1 at the weekend, fifth-placed Eccleshall arrived at the Syncreon Arena on Tuesday night full of confidence and high hopes of denting Vauxhall’s 100 per cent home league record – and they did just that with a well-drilled defence being the platform for this entertaining goalless draw.

It was the first time in several months that the Motormen had failed to score in the game and their first league draw of the campaign, but the point gained took them two points clear of FC Oswestry Town but still with three more games in hand.

Mick McGraa’s side enjoyed the majority of possession throughout this contest, playing on the front foot, but found the visitors defence in determined mood. Both sides had chances in the opening half with both goalkeepers exceling when called upon – Ryan Crump in the home goal saving partially well low down to his left to keep out a strong effort from Thomas Wakefield before the break.

On the resumption, Motors continued to push forward and striker Ryan Cox had three decent strikes on the Eccleshall goal, without getting the better of Louis McCarthy, who remained alert.

The Motormen threw some caution to the wind with the introduction of both Karl Noon and Kieran Hamm during the last 30 minutes in an attempt to prize open the stubborn visitors rearguard. The former volleyed just wide of the target soon after but the Eagles defence stood firm throughout.

Eccleshall midfielder Louis Downs was dismissed for a second yellow card offence in the closing stages, but Motors were unable to take advantage of the extra man with little time remaining.

Vauxhall: Crump, Scarisbrick, Drummond, Gardner, Mitchell, Heath, Brandon, Rule, Cox (Hamm 70), Willingham(Noon 61), Cross (Cooper 70). Subs not used: Gorman, Holmes.