Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One

Dursley Town 0 Ruardean Hill Rangers 0

TIME is running out for Dursley in their quest to avoid sliding through the relegation trapdoor after drawing an extremely winnable match for the third time in four outings.

Lodged firmly in the bottom three with four matches remaining – fewer than all of their rivals – Town must realistically win at least three of those games to escape.

Just like in recent draws at Bredon and Hardwicke – and even in defeat at Cam – Terry Stevenson’s side could have won the game, but did not do enough to do so.

Laurie Peters and Jack Minett came into the starting line-up as Dursley’s squad stretched towards breaking point, but the hosts gave a good account of themselves.

A lack of goals has long been their undoing, though, and it was perhaps telling that their best efforts were long-range shots from full-backs Curtis Mills and Liam Jones.

Ruardean Hill created more chances, although Keith Watson was only forced into one save of note in the first half, while a mishit cross skimmed the top of the bar.

With Town pressing for that elusive goal, they were almost caught on the break late on, but the ball struck the outside of the post after Watson was rounded out wide.

Right on full-time, the hosts might have snatched victory, but Peters passed when a shooting chance appeared to open up and Mills was unable to get his effort away.

Dursley: K Watson; L Jones, C Mills, M Workman, D McNally; J Minett (J Stoneman 60), L Thomas, J Stevenson, N Vines; L Peters, B Goncalves. Not Used: C Dolbear.

* Dursley do not have a game on Saturday, but return to action on Tuesday when high-flying Broadwell will be the visitors to the Rec (6.30pm).

* An under-strength Dursley Reserves were beaten 4-0 at Horsley in Division Two of the Stroud League – although Town cannot now finish in the bottom two in the table.

* Dursley thirds' scheduled game against their Tuffley counterparts was postponed with both sides struggling to put out a team. The game should still be played.