Urchins in pole position after stalemate

Hornchurch 0 Harrow 0

Urchins took over at the top of the Ryman Premier Division table last night, despite an evening of frustration at Bridge Avenue.

A point was enough to take Jimmy McFarlane’s men above Lowestoft and into pole position on goal difference, but the Trawlerboys have two games in hand.

Following their 2-1 win at Wingate on Saturday, the home side dominated for the most part, but found relegation-threatened Harrow in determined mood.

Urchins captain Elliot Styles made his 250th appearance for the club, but it proved a frustrating night for the most part.

The two sides had already met twice this season in the FA Trophy, with Les Thompson’s goal enough to clinch a replay win for Urchins, after a 1-1 draw at Harrow.

But the hosts had Joe Woolley to thank for a stunning late save to deny Jon Jo Bates as Harrow went close to snatching all three points.

Urchins will now turn their attentions to their big FA Trophy tie at Conference side Grimsby on Saturday.

But they will be without 19-goal Martin Tuohy, as he starts a three-game ban following his sending-off at Canvey on December 31.

After a 5-2 win at Alfreton at the weekend, Grimsby extended their unbeaten league run to 10 matches with a 1-0 win at Cambridge last night.

A first-half goal from Anthony Elding proved enough to inflict a first home defeat since August on Cambridge, the resurgent Mariners moved up to ninth in the table, five points off a play-off place.