CURZON ASHTON 0, TELFORD UNITED 0
Curzon Ashton viewed the home goalless draw against Telford United as a point gained as opposed to two lost having played half the match with 10 men.
Adam Lakeland’s team was reduced numerically on the stroke of half time by the dismissal of Scott Wilson.
Paul Carden’s Telford side may be second bottom, but they arrived at the Tameside Stadium oozing confidence after winning their previous two games, scoring eight and conceding none.
However, Curzon were also in good form after beating AFC Fylde last Saturday prompting manager Lakeland to name an unchanged side.
Telford were the side who had the first chance of the game after Wilson gave away a free kick near the edge of the 18-yard box and Brendan Daniels’ low and hard strike went under the wall, but Chris Renshaw got down sharply to save well.
Breydon Shaw did well to create space on the edge of Curzon’s box but his 11th minute effort didn’t match his skill as it sailed into the car park behind Renshaw’s goal.
Curzon’s first chance came after 21 minutes when an Adam Thomas cross was headed away only to reach Craig Mahon who, from the edge of the box, hit a great left foot volley which was heading towards the far post before keeper Russell Griffiths dived to his left and pushed the ball away from danger.
Wilson also had a volley from outside the box which flew wide of Griffiths goal, but in the 45th minute he was involved in an off-the-ball incident when he appeared to elbow Jason Oswald in the face and referee Sam Mullhall immediately showed the red card leaving Curzon having to face the second half with 10 men.
Lakeland made a change at the break bringing on Harry Flowers for Jamie Cooke and a formation change with Thomas going alongside Alex Curran up top.
This put a lot of pressure onto Curzon with Telford sensing that they could make the extra man count.
Curzon were left relying on counter attacks and set pieces and on the hour Mahon’s well delivered free kick was met by Flowers, but his effort was well saved by the feet of Griffiths.
Curzon again created a chance after they played in Connor Teale down the right, but his effort was deflected into the side netting.
For most of the last 20 minutes Curzon looked like the side most likely to score as they pressed at every opportunity, but they just couldn’t find the finishing touch.
However, with six minutes left, Telford had a great chance to snatch victory after they won a free kick 25 yards out, but they wasted the chance with the strike going high over the crossbar.
With time ticking away, both sides were trying not to lose the game, but it was Curzon who would take more from it as they played with 10 men for 45 minutes and grabbed a vital point.
Report By Dave Jones
Photos by Oli Biddle