Hayes & Yeading United were left with a frustrating 0-0 draw despite dominating this Allied Counties League Premier Division match for long periods of the game.

United were missing key midfielders Ollie Fayed and Dan Mehmet plus striker Alex Harris but nevertheless got on top of their opponents from an early stage. However, the first clear cut chance fell to Farnborough, but Oli Sherwood’s header from Ashley Brown’s free kick looped onto the roof of the net.

United responded immediately with Daniel Wishart finding Dominic McAuley whose shot tested Ashley East’s handling. Soon after, McAuley’s corner found Aga Brianidt unmarked in the six yard box but his header rose inches too high. McAuley then had another long range shot which East easily fielded.

Farnborough had two good one on one chances but found Matthew Faley in good form to block both efforts, first from Jordan Pembrook and then from Sam Watson.

However, United finished strongly and with the last action of the first half, Wishart stung the hands of East with an angled drive from Josh Andrew deep cross which the keeper did well to palm away.

The second half was one way traffic but somehow, the ball just wouldn’t go in for United. Jake Lovell got to the byeline and cut back for McAuley but his shot was well saved by East. Then moments later both McAuley and Wishart raced onto a long Mohammed Bashley pass, with the former taking over and rounding East only for Darren Redwood to hack the ball clear.

In the most frenetic 10 minute period of the game, Lovell was at the centre of most of the action. Almost all United players strongly appealed a penalty in the 58th minute when he fell under a challenge in the penalty area and in the 62nd minute, the diminutive striker leapt highest to head McAuley’s cross towards goal, but the ball looped over the bar. A minute later, he got even closer with a rasping drive which smashed against the crossbar on its way over and he soon picked himself up to hit a shot towards goal which rebounded off a flailing leg from Sherwood.

McAuley curled a shot from the resulting corner just over and then hit the post directly from a corner of his own. It appeared that the Farnborough goal was leading a charmed life.

Still, wave after wave of United attack battered the Farnborough defence. Charlie Wassmer headed Ashley Barnes’ corner straight at East from right in front of goal and Lovell amazingly hit the bar again from long range when he turned smartly from Barnes’ throw in to create room for the shot.

Centre half Jamie Lindsay took the bull by the horns soon afterwards, surging forward before playing the ball to Andrew who cut inside and hit a shot which East tipped over the bar and Lovell again wriggled free only to again shoot straight at East.

With time running out, and United surging forward, Farnborough almost delivered the sucker punch when Brown put Daniel Herbert through on the right and he nudged the ball past the advancing Faley only for Lindsay to sprint back and hook the ball off the line at the last possible moment.