Needham point is well made but Hawks may need recruits

Jason Prior was denied by the Needham keeper

It was further frustration for Lee Bradbury as his team again dominated a game without making it count.

With injuries mounting up the Hawks boss has hinted he will look to strengthen his squad ahead of Thursdays transfer deadline.

Young striker Alfie Rutherford is likely to be out for at least another fortnight and he has been joined on the injured list by Matt Paterson and Andreas Robinson.

‘Injuries are becoming a concern and at the moment I only have two strikers,’ said Bradbury.

‘I want to make sure we give ourselves the best possible chance of winning the title.

‘Though we have got a couple of players back we have lost another couple.

‘It is going to be a busy week for us both on and off the pitch.

‘It is a case of trying to make sure we get the right people in.’

Bradbury felt his team played well enough to come away from Needham Market with all three points.

That they didn’t was largely down to home goalkeeper Danny Gay who denied them with two terrific second-half saves.

First he dived full length to push out Bradley Tarbuck’s well-struck effort that was heading for the bottom corner.

In the last five minutes he produced an even better save to prevent Jason Prior winning the game.

‘Their goalkeeper had no right to make that save,’ said Bradbury.

‘The ball was going into the far corner but somehow he got to it and turned it round the post.

‘In the end I have to see it as a good point because Needham have done well at home this season.

‘I can’t fault the effort, endeavour and passion the players put in.

‘It was important we keep picking up points and this keeps us ticking over.’

The Hawks also had cause to thank their goalkeeper Ryan Young in the second half as he made an important save.

Having had little to do all game Young did well to tip a snapshot from the edge of the area against the post.

He showed his quality to ensure Needham did not grab the lead.

The visitors scrambled the loose ball away and survived what was a huge scare.

‘It would have been daylight robbery if we had lost,’ said Bradbury.

A James Fraser hat-trick helped fire Bognor to a 4-0 win over Canvey Island at Nyewood Lane.

Jimmy Muitt was also on target for the Rocks who stretched their lead at the top of the Ryman League premier division to four points.

Hawks: Young, Strugnell (Paterson 63mins, Hayter 65mins) Woodford, Harris, Rose, Williams, Stock, Lewis, Fogden, Prior, Tarbuck. Att: 434