HARRIERS remain without a goal in front of their own fans this season after another goalless draw and a dour spectacle against Maidenhead United at Aggborough.

The Reds have now won just one of their first six games in this National League season but, perhaps crucially, have also kept four clean sheets in that time.

That defensive solidity is ideal given it afforded the side the chance to bounce back from the 3-0 drubbing at Ebbsfleet United 48 hours prior, but a considerable concern will be having scored just twice all season.

Following Saturday’s 3-0 thumping at Ebbsfleet United, Russ Penn well and truly rang the changes within his ranks – sweeping through the eleven with no less than five alterations as Kieran Phillips, Jack Lambert, Amari Morgan-Smith, Riess McNally and Kai Lissimore were all drafted into the side.

The majority of those who were replaced dropped to the bench, save for Alex Penny who missed out through suspension following his red card in Kent.

Fans thirsty for chances after two goalless shut-outs in the previous home encounters were left frustrated across the affair as a whole, and certainly a first half that only really yielded once chance – a fourth minute sighter for Kieran Phillips that was blocked wide of the target.

Genuine openings were so long delayed in coming that it took until well past the hour mark for them to arrive – Krystian Pearce heading wide from a corner before Caleb Richards blazed wide from six yards at the far post following a block of Jack Lambert’s shot in the area.

That was at least enough to liven up the affair, albeit for just a few minutes. Nat Knight-Percival nodded across goal and wide from a corner inside the final 15 minutes, before the clearest cut of all the chances fell to Lambert. He raced on to a through-ball from sub Ashley Hemmings and shot, but Craig Ross between the sticks was alert and smothered the effort wide of the post.

The full time whistle signalled the end of a tricky afternoon at the office. Most telling was the jubilation in the away end as 126 away fans noisily celebrated their point and clean sheet – a contrast to the home fans who were left to wonder what might’ve been.

Seemingly agreeing, Manager Penn said: “Word of the day is ‘frustration’, I think.

“It was a great reaction, first and foremost, from Saturday.

“We haven’t witnessed many of those results and performances during my tenure, so credit to the lads for putting on a performance today, albeit a frustrating one.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to say we are struggling, but the lads are putting in a great shift.

“We are putting ourselves in a position to win games, but we just aren’t winning them at the moment. That will come, I’m sure.

“The lads just need a bit of belief. I’m sure when the goals go in, we’ll get floods of it.”

Harriers hit the once again on Saturday with another lengthy jaunt south to meet Southend United, 3:00pm.