Daniels Face Replay After Stalemate

Stamford will face a Tuesday night trip to Staffordshire after Saturday's FA Trophy stalemate with Leek Town in dreadful conditions at the Zeeco Stadium.

Clear-cut chances were in short supply throughout an even contest between two well-matched sides.

The two sides had traded 1-0 victories in close league contests last season and Saturday's Trophy tie proved no different.

Aaron Bott and Robert Stevenson both fashioned early chances for the Evo-Stik Division One West visitors before a dangerous cross from Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson was gratefully gathered by Leek goalkeeper Danny Roberts following a deflection off a visiting defender.

Jordon Cooke had an effort cleared off the visitors' line after a goalmouth scramble before the best chance of the first half saw Jordan Johnson rob Kern Miller on the edge of the Stamford box but, with just Dan Haystead to beat, he curled his shot wide of the far post.

The second half followed the same theme with Stevenson flashing a shot wide for Leek while Charlie Walford dragged an effort past the post.
Home goalkeeper Haystead made the best save of the game when he superbly tipped Johnson's free kick over the bar.

A quick Stamford break then saw the ball fall invitingly for Jake Duffy but, after taking a touch, Lewis Short was able to recover and block as the game finished goalless.

Stamford manager Graham Drury commented: "It was tight affair, I knew it would be.

"They had a good chance in the first half and we've just got to pull the trigger from the ones we created. It doesn't matter if you miss at least you're working the keeper.

"We don't need to be frightened of missing. The players are encouraged to shoot and we work on it in training.

"But there wasn't a lot of chances. It was two sides cancelling each other out.

"It was a very even game between two teams who were trying to play the right way in awful conditions.

"Dan's made a good save and it's another clean sheet. We've kept three in four games now so we're solid in those areas.

"We've improved, but we just need that spark going forward.

"We have got one new signing across the line in John Sands and we're having chats with another so we're trying to be pro-active and on the front foot with the attacking options.

"I'm trying to rectify it. I can't work any harder than I'm doing."