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Boro gain a point against Harriers
Eastbourne Borough ground out a hard fought 0-0 draw with Kidderminster Harriers at Priory Lane this afternoon.
Boro showed no obvious sign of a hangover from Tuesday night's 6-0 defeat with a bright opening against a side that have not been beaten in 2010.
After just two minutes Matt Crabb's through ball picked out Jamie Taylor but his lob dropped the wrong side of the post.
Three minutes later Northampton Town loanee Joe Benjamin teed up Liam Enver-Marum but Harriers' keeper Ross Atkins was out quickly to close down Boro's top-scorer.
Marc Pullan, who was clearly struggling for fitness, almost gifted the visitors a 19th minute lead.
His sloppy back pass played in Brian Smikle but his shot was gathered by Knowles.
Moments later Pullan was caught in possession by Adam Boyes but once again Knowles was down well to keep the visitors at bay.
Pullan hobbled off to be replaced by Ollie Rowe. Boro attacks became few and far between and the Harriers almost took the lead just before the break.
Knowles blocked Marcus Bignott's close effort and Smikle's follow-up effort was cleared off the line by Ben Austin.
Boro reverted to a 4-5-1 formation but it was Kidderminster who almost scored on 48 minutes when a Boyes effort from 18 yards crashed back off the bar.
Moments later Boro also rattled the woodwork.Jamie Taylor's cross picked out Matt Crabb who was unlucky to his volley rebound off the post with Keeper Atkins well beaten.
Boro sat deep and looked to hit on the counter attack. Taylor's pace forced a free kick on the edge of the Kidderminster box and earned the first booking of the match for Gavin Caines. Crabb whipped in the free-kick and once again the midfielder saw his effort smack the woodwork.
Enver-Marum was replaced by Andy Atkin with seven minutes remaining after the striker injured his ankle after a midfield challenge.
Nathan Crabb came on for Joe Benjamin and Chris McPhee rattled the bar once again from a 25 yard effort after a corner was half cleared.
BOROUGH: Knowles, Jenkins, Smart, Austin, Pullan (Rowe 34), Armstrong, Enver-Marum (Atkin), M Crabb, Taylor, Benjamin (N Crabb 89), Elphick.
Subs: Atkin, Johnson, Weatherstone, N Crabb.
KIDDERMINSTER: Atkins, Courtney, Baker, Caines, Riley, McPhee, Bennett, Knight (Goodfellow 61), Smilke, Bignott (Matthews 74), Boyes (Lawrie 74).
Subs: Singh, Sharpe.
Booked: Caines
MOM:Gary Elphick - superb defending
Referee: A Davies
Att: 913
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
