Aldershot Town 0 Accrington Stanley 0

Last updated : 26 January 2012 By Shotsweb's Rob Worrall

Another blank for Shots, but to be fair, they fully deserved the point they gained (their first of 2012) against an Accrington side that came with excellent recent form and that solitary point was another one gained towards safety.

Despite Shots going more than 8 hours without scoring a goal, prior to kick off, a mini wave of optimism spread around the EBB Stadium, thanks to the signing - finally - of a goal scoring striker! Guy Madjo - who had scored 8 goals in his previous 6 matches AGAINST Shots, including a hat-trick - just a month or so ago whilst on loan to Port Vale - this time, would wear the red and blue strip OF Aldershot Town.

With Jermaine McGlashan sold this week to Cheltenham Town, Alex Rodman and Michael Rankine likely to be out for the remainder of the season and young winger Adam Mekki returning to the club, Shots manager Dean Holdsworth was always going to name a fresh looking line-up for this match. And that he certainly did, with Madjo making his debut and Mekki joining, pacy youth forward Jordan Roberts and Hull loanee Sonny Bradley. Rotherham loanne Troy Brown kept his place in the starting line-up alongside Darren Jones.

Shots began the more lively of the two teams and defended well too. Shots forced six corners over the opening half an hour. However, all they had to show for their early dominance was a couple of blocked efforts and a shot from Danny Hylton that fizzed just over the bar.

Then, on the half hour, a glorious chance for Shots. Vincenti - just 8 yards out, slightly to the left of goal. He struck his shot cleanly enough, but it rocketed back off the crossbar and Charlie Henry could only blaze his follow up volley high over the bar. Then Henry's deflected shot trickled past everyone AND the Accrington goal. Gutts had a shot blocked. Hylton shot just over and shots again, just wide. Somehow, the score remained 0-0 at the break and Shots were creeping towards nine hours without a goal.

The visitors came out much the busier after the break.....and had three half chances in the opening four minutes of the second half. Ross Worner, in the Shots goal, was only called into action once though -to block a Michael Smith effort from an acute angle.

Shots responded with a rasping Hylton volley which flew over the Accy crossbar. Stalemate for a while.

Then, with a hour on the clock, a blistering run down the left flank by Straker and a fine cross too, towards the unmarked Madjo....who inexplicably fell over, rather embarrassingly, with no-one near him - ooops!

Shots came again - a chance opened up beautifully for Guttridge, but for the second time in the afternoon, he delayed his shot and his ultimate effort was blocked...again. A Straker cross - and a Henry volley - over. Half chance for Accy - Smith shooting over.

Holdsworth brought on Mekki for Henry and Josh Payne for Guttridge - both had just ten minutes to make an impact. Then a straight forward chance for Madjo - 10 yards out, just the keeper to beat....but he shot straight at Dunbavin.

Into the last few minutes - still the deadlock could not be broken - by either side. Accy sub Barnett let fly from fully 30 yards......just over. Mekki bombed forward and was taken down in full flight. Yellow card given - the first of the day, but Shots free kick came to nothing and after four more goalless added minutes, finally the referee called time.

Shots slip now to 19th place, but remain 7 points clear of the relegation positions. Oh how they could use some good old fashioned lady luck just now.

Shots: Worner, Herd, Jones, Brown(T), Straker, Henry, (Mekki) Collins, Guttridge (Payne), Hylton, Vincenti, Madjo. Subs not used: Morris, Roberts, Bradley, Att 2581 (87 Accy fans)