Aylesbury United continued their unbeaten start to the season, and recorded back to back clean sheets for the first time since April 2003 with a goal-less draw at Mangotsfield United.
The first ever meeting between Aylesbury and last season's Western Division Champions was keenly contested and although both sides created chances, neither showed the conviction needed in front of goal to break the deadlock.
Mangotsfield started the strongest and Chris Lane blazed over inside ten minutes after an initial shot was blocked, as Gavin Jaggard lay stricken on the ground after an earlier challenge.
Moments later Luke Prince fired over the bar after Drew Shore's long free-kick had been flicked on into the danger area. Aylesbury's crossbar was rattled as a strong header from a corner hit the woodwork on 12 minutes.
Having weathered the early pressure, Aylesbury began to enjoy a spell in control, and their first effort came in the fifteenth minute. Darran Hay spread the ball left to Neil Lazarus who hit a quick half-volley which curled just wide of the far post.
Jaggard connected with a Drew Roberts corner three minutes later, but could only guide the ball over the bar.
The closest the Ducks was started by a long throw from Liam Dolman. The ball found its way to Roberts lurking on the left of the area, and he immediately drilled back across the face of goal. As it was half-cleared back to him, he cut inside and went for goal with a curling effort that shaved the outside of the far post.
Dolman headed another Roberts corner over, getting underneath the ball, before Aylesbury Roni Joe suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problems which have blighted his career and was replaced by Greg Williams, playing his first game of the season.
Paul Edgeworth had a great chance to give Aylesbury the lead three minutes before half-time. A cross-field pass from Dolman found Lazarus who laid the ball to Mead. The full-backs pinpoint cross found Edgeworth for a free header, but with the goal at his mercy he could only place his header wide.
A minute before the interval Mangotsfield had a great chance of their own. The movement of the home side at corners was excellent throughout, and one such set piece fell to Robbie Claridge, but his diving header was cleared off the line by a relieved Mead.
Half-time: Mangotsfield 0-0 Aylesbury
The Ducks began the second half on a high note, with another chance that begged to be put away. Dolman played an accurate long-ball into the box, and Darran Hay found space to steal in and direct the ball. Unfortunately it was wide of the target.
Mangotsfield then made two substitutions, with one being particularly telling. Pacey wideman David Anyinsah came onto the field, and began causing Aylesbury all sorts of problems down the flank.
Edgeworth went close again, finding himself on the end of Mead's free-kick he pulled his low shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Midway through the second half Jack Rashid was called upon to make his first telling save of the game, and from one of his own players too. Matt Hayward got a toe-ender on a right wing cross, and Rashid made a fine flying save to tip the ricocheting ball over the bar.
Just as on Tuesday at Cheshunt, the home side ended the match camped in Aylesbury's half. But once again the defence was resolute and dealt with the pressure, and once again achieved a creditable clean sheet.
With fifteen minutes remaining Mangotsfield wasted a glorious chance. Substitute Luke Corbett got in between Rashid and Hayward, and the ball fell to another striker who somehow contrived to direct the ball over the open goal.
The final chance fell with five minutes remaining, the home side's tricky playmaker Luke Prince collecting the ball and running at the defence. As Aylesbury backed off he went for goal, and Rashid made a good diving save to collect the ball.
United did soaked up plenty of pressure in the closing minutes of the game, with Anyinsah the biggest threat, but it ended goal-less. A rarity for Aylesbury, their last 0-0 draw being against Braintree Town in April 2003.
