A stalemate always seemed the most likely outcome of this game as both sides struggled with a blustery wind and getting the ball down to play on the ground.

The visitors came into the game with a one hundred per cent league record and they almost took the lead inside the first five minutes.

Beer goalkeeper Max Heywood did well to reach and push away an effort from Sam Cottrell and Tre Davey then sliced the ball well over.

A quick shot on the turn by Beer’s Tony Pinder was palmed away by Heywood’s opposite number, Leon Woodhead, before Alphington’s George Bosworth struck the crossbar with a close- range header.

Both goalkeepers continued to look the most prominent players on show as Heywood clawed away a drive from Tom Bradford and Woodhead got down to hold a shot from Aaron Daniels.

After the break both sides cancelled each other out in midfield and the contest was often marred by overhit passes and offside decisions.

The Beer defence, well marshalled by Joe Adkin and Charlie Ledger, was rarely stretched although a downward header from the visitors’ James Dingle was blocked by a mass of bodies on the line.

There was a late chance for the home side when a header from Taylor Rooke from a deep free kick was palmed away to safety by Woodhead.

On Saturday, Appledore are the visitors to The Furzebrake, kick off 3.00pm.