> 9.9.2002

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An awful game played in awful conditions at Keys Park tonight - with the Pitmen claiming their second 0-0 draw in succession after Saturday's goalless draw at Weymouth

Hednesford were once again without Kevin Francis, still out with knee trouble, as Ian Painter stuck with the same XI as Saturday. We had seen torrential rain fall all day in Hednesford, but to the amazement of some, the club announced that the game would definitely be on, with no plans to call it off at any time, despite the continuing downpour

Indeed, the weather played a big part in the game, as neither side managed to keep the ball at their feet for very long

Hinckley's Gavin O'Toole set a Keys Park record by getting booked after only five seconds for elbowing Paul Ware, who subsequently went off after only twenty minutes, replaced by utility man Wayne Simpson

 It was Shaun Wray who had the best chance of the first half, firing just wide after being played in by Mark Jones mid way through the half

 Chances were at a premium, as both sides struggled to find any consistency to their game. Skipper Richard Lucas scuffed a shot wide after some promising build-up play and Jones was denied by Azerbaijan 'keeper Farhad Afandiyev five minutes before half time

 The second period saw the visitors take a hold on the game, and they will feel they should have won it when they consider the chances they had in the second half

Mark Gayle made a brilliant save to deny the prolific Dave Sadler, then denied Leon Doughty on sixty five minutes as United turned the screw on their hosts

On came youngster Damien Charie for his first action of the season, replacing the disappointing Piearce, with Stewart Airdrie also introduced earlier in the half for Derek Rae

The pitch was starting to cut up also, and Hednesford resorted to longer-range balls. However, without the 'big man' Francis in the team, there was no-one to aim for

Carl Adams wasted a good opportunity on seventy minutes, seeing his snap-shot well saved by Afandiyev. Hinckley had the best chance to win it in the very last minute, when Leon Blake found Sadler unmarked, but somehow Sadler managed to turn his shot wide of the far post   cds

Havant & W'ville (H)

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Airdrie

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Ware

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