Cheltenham hold play-off chasing Barnet to goalless draw

Cheltenham ended a four-game losing League Two run with a resolute defensive display to secure a goalless draw against play-off chasing Barnet at the Hive.

The hosts made a dominant start, with Nnamdi Ofoborh’s low drive in the seventh minute parried away by Cheltenham goalkeeper Joe Day.

Moments later, Kane Smith sliced wide after getting on the end of a cross before Mark Shelton’s looping effort drifted just past the target.

Midway through the first half, the visitors launched their first meaningful attack as Harry Ashfield’s lofted pass found Jonathan Tomkinson, who squared for Jordan Thomas but he failed to hit the target.

Another chance came for the home side when Smith and Ryan Glover combined to work the ball into the area, where Kabongo Tshimanga’s goalbound touch was deflected behind for a corner.

Just after the hour the Bees went closest, Glover teeing up Britt Assombalonga whose close-range effort drew a smart save from Day. Ben Stevenson was later stretchered off and replaced by Arkell Jude-Boyd.

In the closing stages, Isaac Hutchinson broke clear but fired straight at Barnet goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, and in stoppage time Jude-Boyd was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Phillip Chinedu.