Hyde Utd 0 Lancaster 0

THERE'S been little to cheer about for Blues fans in recent games but holding 4th placed Hyde to a draw on Monday night is worthy of applause. Lancaster raised their game and passed the ball well but, like Hyde, they were often guilty of overhitting the ball while on the attack. The first half was by far the liveliest. Lancaster started off with early shots from Key, Graham and Lodge, but all the attempts drifted wide of the goal.

However, once Hyde settled into the match, they started to show the form which has seen them close to the top. But for City's keeper, Andy Newell, Hyde would have been three or four up by the end of the first half. Lutel James, Steve Jones and David Nowan all had good shots, that Newell did well to save. The best opportunity fell to Hyde - Nowan's through ball perfectly found Jones who had a one on one with City's keeper and a chance to shoot from 12 yards. Luckily, Jones carried on running and left the angle too tight to score. Jay Flannery nearly opened City's account when Hyde's keeper parried Peter Craven's cross onto his foot but it was impossible to control and it rolled just past the post.

The goalless encounter was spiced up with a streaker just before half time and this nearly proved crucial for City when, two minutes into time added on, Hyde's keeper Marin Jones sliced a clearance straight to Lodge on the wing. Unfortunately there was no one in the box to connect with his cross.

Hyde returned fire with a dangerous break, stopped half-way into City's half by a very clumsy tackle which Steve Hartley was booked for. The free kick was too long and went straight to City's keeper. The best chance of the game fell to Hyde sub Prince Moncriette in the 82nd minute. James' cross fooled the entire City defence and gave Prince a golden opportunity for Prince to score on the volley eight yards out but, City keeper Newell came out and spread himself well to parry the ball over the crossbar.

Late injuries to Tony Key and Val Owen added even more time to the end of the game. Clearly Hyde were planning to launch one last attack to steal the three points when they made an attacking substitution in the 91st minute and it nearly paid off. Val Owen's long range shot was deflected, making it extremely difficult for City's keeper but he jumped and caught the ball well.

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