City came into this game needing the points to secure a play-off place, Carshalton on the other hand needed them to try and secure their survival. After a largely forgettable ninety minutes David Garland will have been the happier of the two managers as on this evidence, the two teams both look like they will remain in Nationwide Conference South next season.

The postponement of City’s game at Eastleigh last Saturday had given the hosts a two week break after Lewes ended the Lilywhites’ six game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory at Milton Road. Gary Roberts named an unchanged side although recent signing Stephen Hughes took his place on the bench with Greg Lincoln and Michael Gash still ruled out by injury.

It takes two to stop Robbie Simpson

Tuesday’s Surrey Senior Cup defeat at Kingstonian aside, Carshalton have enjoyed a good run of form in the league which has boosted their chances of staying up. The Robins came into this game on the back of successive league victories over Hayes, and most recently Dorchester who were beaten 3-1 at the War Memorial Sports Ground courtesy of second half goals from Craig Dundas, David Graves and Matt Fowler.

Skipper Matt York returned to the starting line-up along with Mark Marshall and Tony Quinton with Dan Nwanze, Mark Simms and Dundas making way.

The Lilywhites looked more rusty than rested after their enforced break and the Robins were much the brighter from the off and could have capitalised in the opening minutes when Michael Johnson dragged Craig Pope inside and cut the ball back from the bye line into the path of Fowler whose close range effort forced Danny Naisbitt to finger-tip spectacularly over the bar. In all honestly that was the best piece of football in the whole game with neither ‘keeper forced into serious action from then on.

As so often happens when a team starts a game off the pace it becomes very difficult to raise the tempo and twenty five minutes had elapsed before City posed any serious threat. Good work by Paul Booth saw him move through the inside left channel and square for Robbie Simpson who seemed well placed to shoot from the edge of the six yard box, he elected to lay the ball back to namesake Josh however and in trying to avoid the gaggle of players who had crowded the goalmouth the teenage midfielder steered his effort wide of the target.

Paul Booth is beaten to the ball

Had Carshalton shown a little more composure in front of goal then the result could have been even better. Marshall’s right wing corner was flicked onto Fowler who found himself unmarked at the far post but he could only fire disappointingly into the side-netting.

Glen Fuff, who along with central defensive partner Matt Langston were again outstanding, launched City’s next attack with an angled ball over the Carshalton back line which found Robbie Simpson. Simpson held the ball up well until Mark Molesley arrived in support but the midfielder who started the season in prolific goalscoring form was unable to keep his shot down.

Molesley hit the target with his next effort, an accurate low shot from the left edge of the box after a good set-up by Dale Binns but Adam Federici gathered the ball in comfortably.

Danny Naisbitt was forced to make a well judged punch to ward off the danger from a Johnson free kick in the dying stages of the half but there was precious little incident for the Milton Road faithful to discuss at the interval.

City looked they had moved up a gear in the opening stages of the second period when Craig Pope’s measured through ball sent Robbie Simpson clear down the right, his pull back to strike partner Paul Booth caused the 29 goal striker to readjust and in the process of getting the ball out from under his feet he dragged his shot wide.

Matt Langston flicks the ball into the danger area

This didn’t signify any real change in the pattern of play and Gary Roberts soon reacted by introducing Hughes at the expense of Craig Dobson. At the same time the Robins withdrew Marshall, Daniel Boxall taking his place.

Each side created one more clear cut opening in the remainder of the game but in truth neither did enough to deserve taking all three points.

Johnson, whose delivery had been consistent throughout whipped in great cross from the left which Armel met at the far post but his angled header whistled narrowly wide of the upright.

At the other end Robbie Simpson’s deft lay off found Molesley in space that had otherwise been denied him all afternoon and showing good vision he poked the ball past the advancing Federici but the alert Jon Cartledge, another central defender who was tidy throughout, raced back to clear off the line.

The only other incident of note saw Marlon Patterson floor Robbie Simpson, a challenge which earned him a caution and in the ensuing melee Johnson and Craig Pope also picked up cards.

A vain attempt to snatch a winner at the death saw City throw bodies forward but they lacked both the quality and invention to penetrate the well-drilled Robins’ rearguard and the game petered out to a close.

Whilst their defence continues to look rock solid City will need to address their lack of goals if they are to maintain their place in the top five. As for the Robins they seem to have hit form at just the right time and will see this result as a massive confidence booster.