DEFENCES were well on top at Gang Warily on Saturday where Blackfield & Langley slugged out a 0-0 Sydenhams Premier draw with title rivals Petersfield Town.

Visiting Rams boss Ian Saunders hailed a rearguard “master class” from his side, adding that Petersfield had not intentionally played a defensive game. They just so happened to produce “immense performances” from captain Alex Ward, Jamie Ford, Lewis Hyde, Dan Woodward and, later, sub Sean Wain at the back.

His Blackfield counterpart John Robson agreed: “Petersfield played well all round. They’re a very good side worthy of being at the top end of the league.

“Our ’keeper Scott O’Rourke didn’t have one shot to save all afternoon.

“The game edged on us being the more attacking side, but Petersfield defended very well – end of story.”

Blackfield have dropped a place to fourth, but would go back above Winchester City by avoiding defeat at Andover Town tonight.

Gifted winger Ekow Elliott is out for a couple of weeks after taking a painful knock below the knee, while defender Joe Byrne’s expected return from a shoulder problem has been put back a month.

“We’ve not got a bad squad, but to lose key players like that is tough,” said Robson. “We’re still in with an outside chance of the title, but we’ve got to knuckle down and win the best of every game we’ve got left.

“Petersfield usually put their chances away too. They didn’t on Saturday – but then neither did we!”

The result cost the Rams top spot as they dropped below Moneyfields on goal difference, but Saunders’s men have a game in hand.