Petersfield Town manager Connor Hoare was pleased with his side’s defensive display after the Rams drew 0-0 at Portland United in the Wessex League Premier Division on Saturday.

A tight affair ended in a rare goalless draw for the Rams. The game in Dorset was even from start to finish, with few clearcut chances.

Connor Dunesby-Bent broke down the line as the hosts looked more threatening in the opening stages. He whipped a ball to the back post towards Aiden Shepherd, who was inches away from scoring.

Petersfield’s Charlie Merritt got stuck in with a high challenge and received a yellow card.

The home side’s best opportunity came in the 36th minute from Dunesby-Bent. Joe Wickham played a lovely one-two to get to the byline and pulled the ball back for Dunesby-Bent, whose effort grazed the top of the crossbar on the way over.

The Rams had a good chance early in the second half. Kieran Alcock’s cross was met by Kieran Jones six yards out, but he glanced his header wide.

Shepherd got away for Portland late on, but he was denied by a superb goal-saving tackle by Merritt.

Hoare was delighted with his side’s defensive shape in the game as the Rams picked up a hard-earned point on the road.

“It was a good point for us,” said Hoare.

“Liam Kimber and Charlie Bell, who are two important players for us, were both on the bench after injury and we set up deeper than we usually do. If we were more on the front foot and left spaces it could have been quite risky. We were solid throughout against a good side – they only had a couple of chances.”

Next up for the Rams in the league is a home game against Sherborne Town on Saturday (3pm).