Ryman Football League DIVISION ONE NORTH: Northwood 0 Aveley 0

Both sides struggled to find their rhythm in a scrappy opening although Northwood keeper Mitch Swain had to be on his mettle to block Petrit Elbi's first minute effort, while Woods' Michael Gordon saw a couple of jinking runs come to nothing.

Aveley enjoyed the better of the first half chances with Bradley Barnes being the main provider.

Joao Carlos had a close range shot charged down by Danny Murphy, Sean Francis saw his near post header flash narrowly wide and the visitors continued to look the more dangerous as Elbi had a shot blocked and Barnes sent the loose ball into Swain's arms. However, the Northwood defence, superbly marshalled by Bradley Hewitt, resisted the pressure and the hosts finished the half strongly with Leon Nelson almost getting on the end of a Ryan Tackley cross and Terry Davies tried his luck from distance but was wide of the mark.

Northwood began the second half in a similar vein but Nelson and Gordon were unable to apply the finish to slick moves and Murphy and John Christian went close with a couple of long range efforts.

At the other end, Aveley's Christian Wheeler had a couple of opportunities but he failed to seriously test Swain.

Woods gradually began to gain the upper hand and Murphy made a succession of surging runs down the left but there was nobody to apply the finishing touch to his dangerous crosses.

They continued to press for the elusive goal and twice hit the woodwork, Christian rattling the crossbar with a 30-yard scorcher before Hewitt was denied a third goal of the season after his header rebounded off the post.

That said, the best chance fell to Aveley substitute Sean Thomas but he seemed to have too much time and space to think and his weak shot was gratefully collected by Swain, leaving both sides with their unbeaten starts intact.

NORTHWOOD: Swain, Plaskett, Tackley, Orlu, Hewitt, Christian, Gordon, Dwain Williams, Nelson, Davies, Murphy. Subs not used:

Brown, Dwane Williams, Bennett, Edwards, Tajbakhsh.

Goals, Woods: None. Aveley: None. Att: 136.

 The reserves drew 2-2 with Hare-field United in midweek with both goals coming from Danny Brown, before losing 1-0 at Bracknell Town on Saturday.

DIVISION ONE NORTH: Tilbury 0 Hillingdon Borough 0

A GRITTY performance earned Hillingdon Borough their first point of the season and ended Tilbury's perfect start to the season.

Defenders Chris Paul and David Kendall dominated the Tilbury strikers, allowing very few chances to an enthusiastic Tilbury attack and they denied Chris Stowe even one opportunity to add to the four goals he already has to his name.

In fact the only time they were troubled was when Jason Fontaine broke clear but his attempted lob fell nicely into Matt Davis' arms.

The better openings came at the other end but all too often Boro lacked the killer punch.

Sam Warrell, pulling the strings for Boro in midfield, had a snapshot plucked out of the air just under the crossbar and then Daryll King saw a header easily saved.

Jey Silva sent over a pinpoint cross only for the unmarked Andy Glynne to steer the ball agonisingly wide, while King again broke clear and with two to aim at his cross was far too heavy for either team-mate.

It was very much the same in the second half as the Boro defence remained in control and on the few occasions that the Dockers threatened they were guilty of wayward finishing.

Fontaine, again, squandered the best chance when clean through as his mishit shot struck an upright.

Jacque Flowerday was becoming more influential for the visitors and time and again he caused panic in the Tilbury defence although Boro's best chance came from a combination of their centre halves.

Kendall picked out Paul with a deep cross but the unmarked 29-year-old sent his firm header just wide of the mark.

Kendall also had a penalty appeal turned down when his goalbound header struck a shoulder and after keeper Andy Hall juggled a Flowerday effort and Daniel Campbell smashed home the loose ball, he discovered the referee had already blown for a foul.

With just seconds remaining Boro were thankful to John Powles for clearing a firm header by Jay Taylor off the line and so preserve a clean sheet which will give Boro something to build on.

BORO: Davis, Powles, Kendall, Paul, Silva, Glynne, Harris, Warrell, King, Flowerday, Campbell. Subs: Sharples, Lyons.

Goals, Tilbury: None. Boro: None. Att: 92.