Lower Breck were held to a 0-0 draw by Colne as goalkeeper Theo Roberts proved to be the saviour with several key contributions, including a second-half penalty save.
The Breck shot-stopper saved well to his right to deny Jakob Hebda after captain Paul Mooney was penalised for a trip.
Both sides are gunning for a place in the North West Counties playoffs and engaged in a fierce end-to-end encounter for the first 45 minutes.
James Salkeld and Michael Fitzgerald were denied by the woodwork for the hosts. Salkeld, firstly, arrowed a long-range strike off the crossbar before full-back Fitzgerald’s volley fizzed off the post.
Paul Weller’s side, however, had chances of their own in the first half but were left frustrated by an inspired performance from Roberts. The Breck goalkeeper was on hand to thwart clearcut chances for William Hasler-Clegg and Hebda, while captain Mooney made a crucial clearance off the line to deny Owen Watkinson.
After an end-to-end first-half, it would’ve been difficult for the second-half to match the intensity. And it proved to be the case as neither side really threatened.
The best opportunity came through Hebda from 12 yards after Mooney was penalised for a foul in the box. The Colne forward fired low to Roberts’ right but the shot-stopper continued his heroics.
It proved a crucial contribution as he earned a point for Gary Moore’s side, in a second-half where both sides cancelled each other out following the penalty save. The draw means Lower Breck move one step closer to the playoff places, as they sit five points off, in their late push but whether it is too little, too late remains to be seen.
Frustration for Lower Breck but positivity prevalent
Lower Breck manager Gary Moore came away from the draw with Colne slightly disappointed as his side failed to threaten Charlie Monks.
James Salkeld and Michael Fitzgerald came closest rattling the woodwork, but it was at the other end where they were thankful after a standout performance from Theo Roberts.
Despite a penalty save midway through the second-half, the Lower Breck boss felt a point was probably fair upon reflection.
He told Off The Park: “Better second half even though we hit the bar and the post in the first half. At the end, I thought we might’ve snuck a late goal but I don’t think we tested the goalkeeper other than hitting the post.
“A fair point, no one deserved to win the game.
“We’ve got an unbelievable group of lads, a small group at the minute. We’ve lost one in 11 and we’re sitting in our highest position in step five.
“There were tough conversations after we lost 3-0 away at Padiham, we had to do something different, they’re all fighting for each other and you’re with players that you’re happy to be with win, lose or draw so it speaks volumes at the minute.“
