Cleethorpes Town 0 Rushall Olympic 0

The teams were proudly led out by mascot Reggie (see picture), who was treated to a VIP day at the HPS Plant Hire Stadium.

After surviving an early pitch inspection on the damp East coast, the two lower mid-table sides played out a generally disappointing goalless encounter on a sapping surface.

The Owls started by far the best in the opening quarter but could not force the all important breakthrough. Josh Walker came closest but his shot was forced behind for a corner by a lunging defender.

In the pick of the action at the other end of the park, keeper Ollie Battersby spread his body superbly to block an effort from the dangerous Daniel Chimeziri.

Following the restart, in pouring rain on a tricky pitch, the pattern of a less than memorable contest continued, as the defences remained largely in the ascendency.

On 52 minutes, Walker did get the ball in the net for Cleethorpes. The joy of the home faithful was short-lived however, with the assistant's flag raised for an offside.

As time wore on, a stalemate seemed to become increasingly inevitable.

Nevertheless, Olympic came close to grabbing a winner in the final minute of normal time. Osaze Okuonghae flicked a shot goalwards but man-of-the-match Battersby was alert to make a terrific stop.

At the final whistle, the two evenly matched sides could be satisfied that they had a moved a point closer to ensuring their step 3 status for another season.

Attendance: 405
Owls' bookings: none
Man-of-the-match: Ollie Battersby

1. Ollie Battersby
2. Dan Gallimore
3. Connor O'Grady (replaced by 17. Devon Brockie on 82 minutes)
4. Bailey Conway (replaced by 14. Jack Vann on 86 minutes)
5. Callum Foster
6. James Blunden
7. Aaron Braithwaite (replaced by 12. Joe Ackroyd on 82 minutes)
8. Brad Abbott (captain)
9. Liam Hughes
10. Josh Walker
11. Callum Ainley (replaced by 16. Kwame Boateng on 68 minutes)

15. Billy Whitehouse