Town shut out Salford to end losing streak

Simon Weaver’s men produced a gritty performance to prevent the Ammies finding the net at Moor Lane for the first time in 15 games.

Joe Colbeck went closest to finding the net for Town, but Jay Lynch pulled off an incredible save to deny the wing-back’s first half strike.

Salford had chances of their own in the contest with Mike Phenix going close on numerous occasions, but being unable to find the finishing touch.

Boss Weaver made five changes from last weekend’s loss to Darlington, and handed a first start to midweek signing Nicky Clee.

The visitors created the first opening of the afternoon, but Colbeck’s powerful back-post shot was well blocked by a combination of Ammies’ defenders.

Weaver’s men were then caught out at the other end with Richie Allen finding space inside the box before slicing his effort horribly and allowing Town to clear.

Visiting stopper Peter Crook was then forced into the first save of the afternoon 17 minutes in, keeping out Sam Walker’s top corner bound effort.

It was then the turn of Jay Lynch to pull off an outstanding save as Colbeck rifled one across goal but was denied by the hand of the Salford number one.

Lynch made a much simpler save just after the half hour mark as Joe Leesley’s drilled cross sprung up onto the head of Wayne Brooksby, but the Town man couldn’t direct the attempt past the ‘keeper.

The final 15 minutes of the half saw Colbeck in the thick of the action again as the wing-back blocked Allen’s long range effort while Leesley dragged a strike wide at the other end.

Salford came flying out the blocks for the second period and could have taken the lead when Phenix muscled his way into the Town area and slotted his finish inches past the post.

The hosts’ captain Simon Grand then managed to get himself on the end of Walker’s delivery, but his deflected header nestled into the arms of Crook.

Substitute Nick Haughton then struck one from range that had the power but not the direction to trouble the Harrogate gloveman.

With a quarter of an hour to go, the Ammies’ Patrick Brough came ever so close to claiming what would surely have been a late winner as the defender struck low past Crook’s left hand post.

Salford’s other full back Michael Nottingham then had an attempt on goal, but this time Crook was there to beat away the well struck effort.

Haughton went close to catching Crook out with an audacious chip that would certainly have been worthy of winning the game, but only found the roof of the net.

The final chance of the afternoon fell to substitute Andi Thanoj 16 yards out, only for the midfielder’s strike to be well blocked by a red shirt.