In a tight contest at The UTS Stadium, Dunston were held to a 0-0 draw by Ossett United extending their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions.

Jon McDonald made one change to the side that defeated Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, with David Robinson replacing Sado Djalo.

The game started slowly, with both teams trying to figure each other out. However, it was Dunston who registered the first effort on 26 minutes, as Chris McDonald fired narrowly wide from the left side of the box.

Dunston pressed hard for the opener and created a flurry of chances. First, Jude Swailes saw his close-range header well saved by Petrovic. On 35 minutes, David Robinson’s header dropped just wide of the Ossett goal, before Harvey Neary tested Petrovic with a left-footed strike from the right side of the box.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Dunston continuing to press for the breakthrough. On 65 minutes, Wil Shaw found space in the box and looked certain to score, only for his effort to be blocked by the hand of an Ossett defender. Despite strong appeals, the referee waved play on.

Late in the game, Josh Donaldson had two quick chances but sent both efforts over the bar before late into stoppage time, tempers flared after a reckless challenge by Jean-Claude Makiessi on Fin Neary.

Deep into stoppage time, Dunston appealed for a penalty when Tom Devitt was pulled down in the area, but once again the referee dismissed the appeals, and the game finished 0-0.

Next up for Dunston is a trip to Witton Albion in the FA trophy second qualifying round.

Dunston: Lowson, H.Neary (Thear, 90’), McDonald, Turnbull (F.Neary, 86’), Swailes, Devitt, Turner (Djalo, 78’), Turnbull, Donaldson, Robinson (O’Donnell, 68’), Shaw

Substitutes: Chrisp

Yellow cards: Lowson (54’), Turner (68’), Djalo (98’)

Ossett United: Petrovic, Thompson, Walters, Askew (Makiessi, 77’), Pashley, Qualter, Bolino (Johnson, 40’), Thomas (Proctor, 78’), Crook (Polwarth, 82’), Tweed, Petch

Substitutes: Walshaw

Yellow Cards: Tweed (43’), Thomas (57’), Petch (62’), Makiessi (97’), Proctor (98’)

Attendance: 224

Report by Thomas Boyle