WORKINGTON 0, RADCLIFFE BORO 0: The meanest defence in the League produced another shut-out, but it was ultimately Boro's clean sheet that decided the outcome.

Workington Reds had to settle for only their third draw of the season, and the first scoreless one, as they were held by a stubborn and resilient Boro side, marshalled by new signing, Steve "Hacker" Halford.

Without top scorer Gary Cohen and Ian Arnold, the Reds had to go with Craig Johnston and Graham Goulding as a new pairing up-front.

Both did well, although they were unable to find a way through a gritty Boro defence, in which new recruit Halford, on a month's loan from Accrington Stanley, was outstanding.

In his rearguard heroics he was helped by Andy Heald, Richard Battersby and a commanding Davy Luker.

Workington dominated for most of the first-half and should have turned round with the lead.

Johnston went closest when he tried to lob goalkeeper Danny Hurst, but it flashed just wide.

Goulding, then had Hurst at full stretch, only to be denied by the keeper's legs.

By comparison, Reds' keeper Adam Collin was a spectator for most of the game.

Despite the 0-0 scoreline it was not a dour affair. In fact it was quite entertaining at times.

Boro's no-nonsense defenders competed with great determination, and the "thou shalt not pass" philosophy eventually earned them a deserved point.

Workington had the best of the first half, although Steve Foster did land one header on the roof of Collins net.

By contrast Hurst was beaten by Robert Ennis from 12 yards, only for the midfielder to be flagged offside.

Ennis was also closest to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, but saw a snap shot from the edge of the area come back into play off the foot of the post.

Boro did threaten briefly at the start of the second half when the Reds were slow out of the traps, but normal service was soon restored as they continued to fashion the openings.

Ennis, who might have had a hat-trick on another day, was denied by Hurst's legs again and perhaps the best two chances fell to Kyle May.

He got on the end of two crosses but failed to put either of them away.

He stretched to swing at a well-placed downward header from Matt Henney, but scooped his shot over the top.

Then he climbed well to reach a Goulding cross, but from a great position headed just over the bar.

May, alongside Alan Gray at the heart of the Workington defence, played his part in ensuring the Reds kept their 11th clean sheet of the season.

In fact they have only conceded two goals at Borough Park so far, and both from the penalty spot.

For all their territorial advantage, Workington almost slipped-up in the last seconds of time added on.

Boro suddenly broke with a four-against-three, but somehow the final decision making by Phil Denney went wrong and sub Mike Wilkinson was crowded out.

l BORO: Hurst, Duffy, Heald, Halford, Luker, Hill, Wilson, Battersby, Denney, Foster, Sampson. Subs: Wilkinson (for Foster 68), McGuire, McMahon).

JOHN WALSH