HOW IT HAPPENED
We held league leaders Everton to a 0-0 draw at Meadow Park on Monday night.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and Dennis Adeniran found himself in on goal, but Daniel Ballard was on hand to make a stunning last-ditch clearance off the line.
Morgan Feeney’s thumping header was then pushed to safety by Deyan Iliev, before Adeniran fired over from the edge of the box with a sliced volley.
The Toffees were on top, but thanks to some quick combination play by Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah, Robbie Burton was able to sting the gloves of former Gunner Joao Virginia in the visitors’ goal.
Following the break, we increased our attacking intensity and wrestled back control. Nketiah squandered a golden opportunity from close range after a sweeping counter-attack, before Virginia claimed Matt Smith’s deflected effort.
Both sides continued to battle hard for possession with a place at the top of the table up for grabs, but chance after chance went begging. Ballard produced another goalline clearance to deny Shayne Lavery - and just moments later Iliev saved Nathan Broadhead’s low drive.
We were handed one final chance to seal all three points when Saka’s lofted delivery picked out Nketiah inside the box, but unlike so many other times this season, the 19-year-old missed the target and we were forced to settle with a share of the spoils.
WHAT IT MEANS
We remain in second place and trail Everton by goal difference only.
WHAT’S NEXT
Our next game is against Swansea City in the Premier League 2 on Friday, October 26. The game will take place at Landore Training Centre with kick-off at 7pm (UK time).
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