Margate 0 v 0 Bromley

Ryman League Premier Division

Report by Patrick Harris

BROMLEY came back from their trip to the Kent Coast with a hard-earned point from a real defensive battle at Hartsdown Park.

Despite the dropped points, Mark Goldberg's men remain top of the table following Horsham's amazing 5-1 defeat at Walton and Hersham.

The Lillywhites started brightly but once the game had settled Margate enjoyed a long spell of pressure pushing Bromley back.

However, the visiting defence held out and also sparked the occasional breakaway with Donal O'Sullivan, Sam Wood and Nic McDonnell all testing home keeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens.

Margate appeared to have done their homework flooding the midfield and not allowing Bromley any time on the ball.

Bromley were restricted to long-range efforts with O'Sullivan, McDonnell, Peter Adeniyi, Lloyd Blackman and Sam Wood all having a pop.

The hosts started the second half on top but for all their pressure Bromley held strong at the back and Andy Walker was never really tested.

As the half went on the Lillywhites became more of an attacking force, Chalmers-Stevens made a save from Kirk Watts and Wood's deflected cross was cleared off the line by Justin Skinner.

Tutu Henriquies headed just over from a corner while at the other end Walker made a save from a well struck free-kick.

The game became increasingly more scrappy and disjointed as both teams lost possession far too freely.

Adeniyi and Blackman both tested Chalmers-Stevens late on while Paul Abbott shot wide for Margate but the game finished goalless with both sides good for a point.

MATCH FACTS:

BROMLEY: Walker, Corneille, Wood, O'Sullivan, Henriques, Duku, Adeniyi, Moore, Blackman, McDonnell (Boot, 62), K. Watts (Bowry, 88).

SUBS NOT USED: Greenway, Osborn, Simpson.