If you think that you need goals to make a good game then you didn’t catch this entertaining 0-0 draw between Lewes and Wingate & Finchley.

Both sides competed with passion and commitment to provide a thoroughly entertaining afternoon, even if goals were missing. But is wasn’t as if neither team had any chances to score.

Ian Draycott went close with a fourth minute header, but thought he had taken the lead in the 11th minute when a sweet move started by Nic Ciardini ended with Ian Draycott heading past Wingate keeper Bobby Smith, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The visitor’s immediate response almost saw them go in front but Leon Smith, who posed a danger all afternoon, held off Ciardini only to see his crafty shot ping off the post.

Lewis Jones worked Lewes keeper Fabian Spiess, but Draycott headed another chance over at the other end with the impressive Max Hustwick misdirecting his header across the face of goal.

Both defences coped well with opposing attacks and an exquisite tackle in the penalty area by Hustwick denied Smith as he bore down on goal.

Wingate keeper Smith made an equally impressive point blank save from Draycott with Ciardini’s follow-up shot hitting the side netting as the scores remained level at half time.

The fun continued after the break as Marc Weatherstone ended a move he had begun with Ahmet Rifat by forcing Lewes keeper Fabian Spiess to keep out his low shot and George Nicholas and Michael Malcolm both shooting over the bar for Lewes.

Both sides had to be content with half chances as the game drew to a close, although Nic Ciardini almost grabbed a late win for Lewes but saw his powerful shot from a corner hit the bar.

Lewes:

Spiess, Hamilton, Ciardini, Nicholas, Robinson, Hustwick, Nanetti, Stavrinou, Draycott (Noble 67), Booth, Malcolm.

Unused: Cade, Sterling, Fenwick

Wingate & Finchley

Smith, Weatherstone, Street, Fowler (Henry 67), Neilsen, Aisien, Jones (Burrell HT), Parmenter, Smith (Karagul 87), Rifat, Burke

Unused: Williams, Cooper

Ref: Stephen Finch

James Boyes