THE SWANS returned from Lodge Road with a precious point after a superb team performance saw them gain a goalless draw against Yate Town, writes Tim Blake.

It was a result which suited the visitors far more than their established Southern League opponents, who are expecting to be competing at the top end of the league rather than scrapping around at the lower end of mid-table.

The swirling wind made conditions difficult for both sides and much of the game was forgettable.

First-half highlights were short in supply, but Slimbridge had the first decent effort on goal after six minutes when Dean Turner was too high with his shot following Jamie Martin’s lay-off.

On 13 minutes, Yate went close when Lewis Powell beat goalkeeper George Burton only for his shot to hit the post.

Yate were again unlucky on 25 minutes when Jamie Cox’s effort saw a superb intervention from Sam Turl.

He deflected Cox’s shot onto the Swans’ crossbar before Burton gathered.

With Dean Turner and Jack Twyman working tirelessly in midfield, and the central defensive of partnership of skipper Alex Hoyle and Ciaran Greening working well together, the frustration of the home side was obvious as the game developed into a dour stalemate.

Burton was the busiest of the two stoppers, but was rarely troubled early in the second period.

He had a simple save to make from Kane Ingram’s long-range strike, and gathered a headed effort after Jamie Laird’s shot had been blocked. But as the game drifted towards the hour, a draw seemed the inevitable outcome.

Burton was forced into a proper save on 67 minutes, holding on to Alec Fiddes’ chance but still the Swans held firm.

Ingram’s effort which was high and wide on 70 minutes summed up the home side’s day.

Slimbridge had their own chances with Sean Lawson seeing his shot drift wide with ten minutes remaining.

Burton was later called into action as the home side continued to press, making a good stop from Jake Cox’s strike.

Slimbridge: Burton, Turl, Brown, Hoyle, Greening, Ward, Turner (Ryan Thwaite 58), Twyman, Martin (Law - son 65), Fahy, Mace (Rich Thwaite 70).

Yate Town: Noice, Cox, C.Laird, J.Laird, Warren, Bryant, Gore, Fiddes, Ingram, Powell (Fogg 85’), King (Box 90’).

Supporters’ man of the match: George Burton.