The deadlock remained intact at The ReachTV Stadium as Eastbourne Borough and Truro City cancelled each other out in the National League South.
A point apiece sees the Sports fall five points behind leaders Torquay United, although Adam Murray’s side did extend their impressive defensive record of late.
It’s now 555 minutes since Borough last conceded, including five clean sheets in a row, but it’s at the other end where the Sports know they need to improve – although chances were few and far between in this closely fought match.
Borough made two changes from the win over St Albans last week, with Michael Klass and Brayden Johnson restored to the starting line up, whilst there was space on the bench for new signing John Shamalo.
And it was the Sports who started the brighter of the two teams. Yahaya Bamba nipped in between goalkeeper and defender before lifting the ball over Dan Lavercombe, but Tom Harrison was there to clear for a corner.
Ollie Kensdale then fired over from the resulting set piece before Pierce Bird swung in a ball from the left and picked out Alfie Pavey, who rose well but saw his header drop just wide of the corner with the keeper beaten.
However, as the first half wore on it was Truro who looked to press forwards. Ryan Law fired off target before Bird did well to block Tyler Harvey’s effort from close range after a long throw was flicked on to the forward.
Harrison then rose well to meet Will Dean’s free-kick on the half hour mark, and his header clipped the outside of the post before the Sports looked to break forwards, but Bamba curled an effort just over after doing well to drive forward and make room for the shot.
Truro defender Harrison then got on the end of another set piece as he met Billy Palfrey’s ball in, but headed just wide before the break.
Borough looked to get on the front foot as the second half got underway, shooting towards the River End. Bird’s long throw picked out Pavey who headed just over, before Klass had a first-time strike go just off target from the edge of the area.
The hour mark then saw Kai Innocent flash a ball across from the left that Sam Sanders blocked before Pavey could turn it in before Lavercombe was alert to gather Klass’ low cross after linking up with Bamba.
Pavey then flicked a ball forwards into the path of Bamba, who had half a sight of goal but scuffed his effort under pressure.
A triple change midway through the second half included handing a debut to Shamalo, and he nearly got off to the perfect start to life on the Sussex coast. Sub George Alexander chipped the ball over the top and Shamalo looked to break through on goal, but Lavercombe was off his line sharply to save at the forward’s feet.
However, Truro still posed a threat themselves. Jaze Kabia’s cross picked out Palfrey, but his glancing header went wide of the far post with twenty minutes to go.
David Sesay then delivered a ball in from the right, and Shamalo flicked it on but it somehow missed the outstretched leg of Klass before the midfielder headed over Innocent’s cross as the Sports looked to get the breakthrough.
Klass then whipped in a free-kick and picked out substitute Moussa Diarra, but his downward header was held by Lavercombe before Kabia led a Truro counter attack – finding Law but he fired into the side netting.
With time running out, Borough went within inches of breaking the deadlock. Bird’s cross picked out Alexander, whose header across goal went within a whisker of the far post with Klass unlucky not to turn the ball home from close range.
Overall, a point apiece as the Sports’ defensive efforts were again rewarded with a fifth straight clean sheet in a closely fought game.
