Weymouth 0
Harriers 0
FA Carlsberg Trophy second round

THE only thing for the travelling fans to savour from this dull stalemate were the chips served at the Wessex Stadium, as Harriers edged a stodgy FA Carlsberg Trophy encounter near the coast.

Harriers were the slightly the better side but in a game of few chances they could not find a way past Terras keeper Jason Matthews, who twice denied top-scorer James Constable.

Apart from two good saves from Weymouth's shot-stopper there was really very little from an attacking spectacle for the meagre 797 fans who made it to get from this game.

Perhaps those fans who are students of the art of defending could take something from this clash as defenses largely ruled the roost in a scrappy match.

Harriers fans could savour the no-nonsense dominance of Mark Creighton, who gobbled up almost every cross that looped into the away team's area.

At his side captain Stuart Whitehead, making his first start for five games after being dropped by manager Mark Yates, also displayed coolness in repelling Weymouth's mainly direct attacks.

In midfield Andy Ferrell's dogged tackling and good range of passing was the highlight.

Strikers James Constable and Iyseden Christie worked hard but had very little impact in the game and were nullified by Weymouth's strapping on-loan West Ham defender Bondz Ngala.

With a place in the third round at stake both teams were desperate to get through. While Yates had the luxury of almost a full-strength squad, Terras boss Jason Tindall was missing six players through injury.

Early on Harriers had to deal with a barrage of dangerous set pieces delivered by winger James Coutts, but coped well.

Constable had the best chance to hand Harriers the lead in the first half.

The former Walsall hitman is still trying to rediscover his excellent form from the earlier in the season.

Russ Penn won the ball in his own half and made a typical driving run to feed the striker, who spun sharply in the box and fired off a shot that Matthews dived to turn around the post.

Harriers stepped up a gear in the second half and absorbed Weymouth's pressure and tried to hit them on the break.

The visitors broke from a corner and Constable's incisive pass was perfect for Christie. Unfortunately he wasn't quick enough to get on the ball and the alert Matthews rushed out to clear.

Matthews pulled off another fine save in the 74th minute to deny Constable.

Substitute hitman Justin Richards made a big impact when he replaced Christie and raced onto Michael Blackwood's well-judged pass.

The big striker sent in a cross that Constable headed goalwards from close range, only for Matthews to dive and scoop it away.

Harriers sensed a late winner and piled on the pressure but Penn saw a shot deflected by Trevor Challis into Matthews' hands and Creighton tried a spectacular volley that flew over the bar late on.

Harriers: Bevan 6; Creighton 7; Whitehead (c) 6; Constable 6; Blackwood 6; Penn 6; McGrath 6; Ferrell 7; Bignot 6; Bennett 6 (Russell, 65, 6); Christie 6 (Richards, 65, 7).

Weymouth: Matthews; Critchell; Ngala; Jombati; Browning; Coutts; Robinson; Domaraud (Beavon, 76mins); McCallum (Malcolm, 82mins).

Referee: Andrew Bennett (Devon). Attendance: 797.