Dan Lincoln pulled off two great saves for Bognor Regis Town to prevent Oxford City from stealing all three points in a 0-0 draw in the National League South at Nyewood Lane last night.
This was a game of few chances and the share of the points means the Rocks have remained second from bottom.
Jack Pearce’s side face Hemel Hempstead in the FA Trophy this weekend and then they are back in league action on December 2nd when they host Concord Rangers.
This was a crucial match for both sides with points being of a premium as they try to escape the relegation zone.
Kristian Campbell started brightly when his run was halted and the free-kick that proceeded was blasted into the wall from Ollie Pearce.
The best chance of the half for the visitors came when Matt Paterson’s effort hit the woodwork.
Calvin Davies knocked a long diagonal ball that was controlled well by Pearce, but his shot was blocked. The subsequent counter-attack from Oxford was halted by a great tackle from Davies.
Bognor looked more likely to score in the first half hour but they lacked that clinical touch, whether it was a cross, pass or shot. Skillful forward Ibra Sekajja had a creative run but his shot was blocked.
Sekajja had the first second-half chances for the Rocks when his first shot was straight at the keeper, he then found some space but his effort whistled just wide of the mark.
Oxford looked certain to score when a ball was squared across the face of goal but Tommy Block stepped in for a crucial intervention.
Then there was some miscommunication between Lincoln and his defenders when he failed to get to a through ball first but fortunately for the home side, Sami El-Abd was there to bail him out.
Lincoln had to be aware when his distribution to Block resulted in the midfielder being dispossessed on the edge of the box, but he pulled off a smart save down to his right. That is when the Rocks No.1 and El-Abd shared a heated exchange following the mistake and they had to be separated.
The Bognor shot-stopper was called into action again with a superb tip over the bar after the ball deflected off a defender.
Bognor Regis Town: 1 Dan Lincoln, 2 Calvin Davies, 3 Kristian Campbell, 4 Dan Beck (Joe Lea 64′), 5 Sami El-Abd, 6 Chad Field, 7 Harvey Whyte, 8 Tommy Block, 9 Ibra Sekajja, 10 Ollie Pearce (Jimmy Muitt 76′), 11 Ben Swallow Subs: 12 Jimmy Muitt, 14 Joe Lea, 15 Tommy Scutt, 16 Lewis Boughton
