Saints draw a blank but extend unbeaten sequence

Brackley Town's Courtney Cameron is denied by Bradford Park Avenue's Dylan Mottley-Henry at St James Park

One point gained or two points dropped will be decided at the end of the season but Saints just edged it without really being conclusive in the final third.

However, seven points out of nine is a decent return for Kevin Wilkin’s side who seem to have the momentum going into the run-in.

There was plenty of endeavour by both sides at St James Park but chances were few and far between with defences on top in a tight contest spoilt by some over-fussy refereeing. And the biggest talking point of a dour affair came early on in the contest when referee Sam Allison had to make a big call.

Jon Stewart came racing out of his area and hacked down David Moyo after he rounded the stranded Bradford keeper. Allsion only issued a yellow card to the keeper, had it been an outfield player or happened later in the game, then it would surely have been red.

Earlier, Ryan Austin headed over from Glenn Walker’s corner but neither keeper was seriously tested before Moyo glanced a header wide from Courtney Cameron’s cross.

Stewart was finally called into action to parry a piledriver from Walker and then watched on as Moyo’s speculative effort landed on top of his net. The Bradford keeper spilled a shot from Matt Lowe but no-one was able to capitalise before Curtis McDonald glanced a header wide from a corner.

Saints edged the first half in terms of chances but neither side seriously looked like getting their noses in front and Sam Hornby didn’t have a single shot to save.

Bradford began brightly after the restart but Saints had an early chance when Moyo cut into the box before firing well over. Strike partner Lee Ndlovu created an opening but Stewart gathered his low drive at the second attempt.

Substitute Danny Schofield went closest for the visitors with a curling shot on the turn which drifted just wide of Hornby’s far post. Substitute Callum Chippendale finally forced Hornby into action with the Saints keeper gathering at the second attempt.

Bradford looked the most likely in the closing stages following the introduction of Schofield and Chippendale but Hornby had a comfortable afternoon as Saints kept a welcome clean sheet.