DIVISION ONE SOUTH AND WEST AFC Hayes 0 Cinderford Town 0

More signs that AFC Hayes have turned the corner came on Saturday when they registered their first clean sheet in the league in holding title hopefuls Cinderford Town to a goalless draw.

The result made it four games unbeaten for Joe Mitchell's side, who inched further away from the relegation zone, and it could easily have been their third win in that spell.

Cinderford arrived at Farm Park in top spot and it was an intriguing clash of styles as the visitors pumped long balls up to 6ft 7ins striker Lewis Sommers, while the hosts used their pace and passing to hurt the Gloucestershire side.

Trevor Charlery had a great early chance but failed to attack the ball and it was cleared before Charlery again and Dean Papali spurned further opportunities.

Jason Donovan should have made them pay but he missed just as badly with a free header from a corner and AFC continued to look a threat as Papali, Charlery and Victor Osobu, having come off the bench for the final 20 minutes, gave Cinderford plenty of problems.

That said, James Harry came to the rescue with a fine double save from Jody Bevan and Sommers as Cinderford began to be limited to long ball breakaway attacks.

Chances continued to come in the final 10 minutes but AFC squandered them each time and they had to settle for a draw.

HAYES: Harry, Walters, James, Metwali, Nuako, Harewood (Osobu 70), Charlery, Ahir, Papali, Clark (Chakaodza 75), Day. Subs not used: Duncan, Clerkin, Pereira.

Goals, Hayes: None, Cinderford: None. Attendance: 69.