By Bill Robinson at Ship Lane
Thurrock will be disappointed that they failed to overcome a determined St Albans eleven when a win and three points seemed on the cards for the Fleet before the start.
These are the home games that must be home bankers if Thurrock are to maintain their play off challenge.
The first half saw plenty of entertaining football from both sides, Thurrock having the slight advantage, unfortunately all their chances where wasted, with 7 shots at goal and all missing the target.
On two occasions they should have scored, the first chance fell to David Bryant, with only 12 minutes on the clock, Leon McKenzie started the move with a ball out wide to Fola Orilonishe, he cut inside and fired a low cross into the visitors box the ball ended up at Bryant’s feet but his side footed effort agonisingly went the wrong side of the post.
St Albans always looked dangerous on the break and it took a fine save from Joe Woolley to keep the scores level, Godfrey Poku struck a terrific shot just inside the box and the save went away for a corner. Thurrock had to sustain a number of corners but again Woolley was able to diffuse the attack with his comfortable handling.
Then just before the break Matt Bodkin came even closer to breaking the deadlock. The ball came over from the right and it was Bodkin who got to it first, his shot struck the post with the keeper beaten, as the ball rolled out into the six yard box Fola Orilonishe hammered it home only to see the linesman flag up for offside.
In the second half there were far less chances for either side and both teams were relying on breaks out of defence to mount an attack.
Although it started to look like a 0-0 result the danger signs were there that either side could snatch a late and perhaps undeserved winner.
With only minutes remaining St Albans came within inches of taking the points.
It was a terrific shot from Drew Roberts that seemed to hang in the air before smashing against the bar and away into safety.
Thurrock went from defence into attack and it was the thanks to St Albans keeper Paul Bastock that they went home with a point., Matt Bodkin weaved his way into the box before driving a low goal bound shot only for Bastock to make a fine stop with his legs.
Thurrock: Joe Woolley, Craig Pope, Lee Flynn, Rob Swaine, Kenny Clark, Paul Olima (Matt Judge 55), Matt Bodkin, Leon Lalite, David Bryant, Leon McKenzie (Matt Paine 75), Fola Orilonishe (Jamie Doyle 77)
