Hawks boss Doswell appreciates away point at lowly Chippenham

The draw helped the Hawks to leapfrog title-chasing rivals Bath City into second spot in National League South following the Romans’ remarkable 7-0 loss at leaders Wealdstone.

Both teams had chances to win the game at Hardenhuish but poor finishing and the woodwork ensured the game ended goalless.

Hawks are now 10 points adrift of the table-topping Stones with two games in hand.

'It was disappointing not to come away with all three points,' said Doswell following failure to beat the second bottom club in Wiltshire.

'We hit the bar three times and missed at least five golden chances.

'Then we could have lost it right at the death.

'If we had won the game three or four goals to one no-one would have argued.

'Apart from not taking our chances, it was a good performance.

'You should always respect a point away from home and keeping a clean sheet was important to us.

'We have gone away twice this week and taken four points from the six on offer.'

The first half saw little goalmouth action, though Hawks goalkeeper Ross Worner tipped away a dangerous free-kick from Jay Foulston.

For the visitors Danny Kedwell twice sent headers wide from good positions and Alfie Rutherford took too long when presented with a good chance.

Just before half-time Josh Taylor saw his shot diverted against the bar.

In the second half Kedwell was guilty of the worst miss when he headed wide of an open goal.

A Foulstone free-kick clipped the Hawks bar before the visitors hit the woodwork again when Simon Walton struck the bar from the edge of the area.

Both teams went close to snatching a winner in the closing stages.

A mistake at the back gifted Chippenham a great chance but, with just Worner to beat, the home striker blazed wide.

In the final minute of stoppage-time, Andy Drury again hit the woodwork.

'We were up against a Chippenham side who worked their socks off,' said Doswell.

'Apart from when we were pushing for a winner, I don't really remember them troubling us much.

'They played a very defensive set-up, looking to hit us on the counter-attack.

'It was difficult to break down their defence with so many players behind the ball.

'The job was made even more difficult by the horrible, bobbly pitch.

'It wasn't easy to pass the ball quickly on that surface.'

The draw extends the Hawks’ unbeaten run away from home this season to 13 league games.

In all, Doswell has now gone 26 away National League South games without defeat - his Sutton side won 12 and drew one of their last 13 away games en route to the title in 2015/16.

Hawks - one of only two clubs, along with Liverpool, unbeaten away from home in the top six tiers of English football - are back on the road again next Saturday at Concord Rangers.

Tuesday night’s game at Billericay Town has been postponed as the Essex club are involved in a county cup tie.