The Hawks’ momentum was halted after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Slough Town at the Draper Tools Community Stadium.

A George McLennan red card midway through the first-half saw the home side reduced to ten men, but Slough couldn’t capitalise on the man advantage, meaning it would end all square.

The visitors had the first notable opportunity when Paul Hodges raced through on goal inside four minutes. He forced Havant goalkeeper Ross Worner into action as his low drive was heading for the bottom corner.

Hodges went close again ten minutes later as tried his luck from the edge of the box. Worner did well to get down once more, diverting it to safety.

The Hawks started pressing for the first goal, but they lost the ball high up the pitch on 20 minutes. George McLennan tried desperately to nick the ball back quickly and regain possession but instead the defender lunged in and caught Matt Lench. The Slough players surrounded the referee Jason Richardson, and he didn’t hesitate to show red.

The hosts almost took the lead just before the break when Tommy Wright created something out of nothing. After scoring a hat-trick in his last game, the striker looked full of confidence when he picked the ball up just inside the Slough half. He drove at pace towards goal evading several defenders before firing his effort just past the post.

HT – HAWKS 0 Slough Town 0

Despite being down to ten men, the Hawks started the second half, the better side. The energetic Benny Read down the right flank almost got on the scoresheet when his sliced cross looped over Jack Turner and just over the crossbar.

Paul Doswell’s men were slowly beginning to turn their possession into pressure as they searched for that elusive first goal. Wright did brilliantly to turn his man on the edge of the visitors’ box and send a low effort towards the bottom corner. But Turner watched it all the way and made a fine stop to deny him.

Havant started to tire as the half went on and gaps started to show. The Rebels worked it well out to the left, finding Lench in space on 80 minutes. But the midfielder swiped at the ball, powering it well wide.

Both teams battled admirably, but neither of them could find that goal which would have earned the three points.

FT – HAWKS 0 Slough Town 0

STARTING XI – Worner, Read, Magri, Diarra, McLennan, Poku, Gomis, Taylor, Deacon, Wright, Kedwell

Subs used – Clifford, Iaciofano 

Subs not used – Robson, Sinclair, Ajakaiye

By Ryan Honey (@ryanhoney9)