Bideford edged out of the relegation zone in Division One South despite being held to a goalless draw by Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

The result extended the Robins winless run to seven games but it was not for the want of trying as Supermarine held firm at the Persimmon Homes Sports Ground.

It was the visitors who found the first opening inside of five minutes as Salhin Abubakar’s low ball into the box was swept wide by Zachary Rugman.

There were big shouts for a penalty from the home crowd as Jamie Hearsey looked to be tripped inside the box but the referee was unmoved. Jack Winsor then surged forward and saw his low strike take a big deflection to wrongfoot Luke Purnell but fly the wrong side of the upright.

The Robins advanced again minutes later as Hearsey did well to get to the byline and pull the ball back for Harvey Field who stabbed a shot through the crowd but Purnell made a smart stop.

Supermarine almost shot themselves in the foot on the half hour as a mix up at the back led to Purnell being pickpocketed by Javan Wright only for two yellow shirts to come to his rescue and scramble clear.

Bideford had their own escape at the other end as an inviting ball across goal was not dealt with, but Abu Gbla could only poke the ball wide at the back post. Alex Moyse then delivered a great cross of his own with Javan Wright inches away from applying the finishing touch.

The visitors caught the Robins napping in the first minute of the second half and really should have taken the lead. Good work on the left from George Alston allowed Rugman to square for Jonathan Efedje but he was denied on the goal line by a great save from Leo McCormick.

Purnell then got away with a fumble which both Scott Robinson and Archie Reay were unable to punish as a wall of yellow shirts blocked their path to goal.

Alston continued to ask questions on the left flank sending another quality ball in which went unfinished and a minute later at the other end Sam Wright drove a low strike just wide of the post with Purnell rooted.

Bideford looked the stronger in the final 20 minute and twice went very close to breaking the deadlock. Winsor sent a long ball forward which Joshua Blyth tried to nod back to his keeper only for Robinson to steal in and lift the ball over Purnell but just beyond the far post. Purnell then had to palm away a stinging drive from Javan Wright which looked destined for goal.

McCormick had to be alert at the other end to push a deflected Abubakar shot past the post but it was the Robins who had the final opportunity to win it deep in added time. Winsor recycled the ball on the right and delivered a low cross which Ryan Turner steered towards the bottom corner only for it to be deflected into the grateful arms of Purnell.

Bideford: McCormick, Winsor, Gardner, S Wright, Field (Woods 64), J Wright (Ewing 75), Moyse, Reay, Roberts, Hearsey (Turner 75), Robinson. Subs not used: Slough, Ewing.

Attendance: 303