Studley BKL 0 Oadby Tn 0

STUDLEY did everything but score in an entertaining end-to-end encounter at the Beehive marred only by an appalling refereeing performance by Mr W Ramsey.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks in front of a large crowd in their first home fixture in the Alliance.

Kevin Rowlands was a handful in the area with the Bees failing to profit from three promising corners in the first 15 minutes.

BKL stopper Martin Keight forced Town keeper Darren Hearne into action in the 26th minute after Richard Tuffey failed to deal with an up and under and Craig Poutney forced a full length save after robbing Stephen Julian and combining sweetly with Rowlands on 31 minutes.

The hosts had a scare when a deep cross from Julian on the left sailed over Studley shot-stopper Keith Beasley and bounced on the crossbar six minutes later.

But normal service was resumed when player-coach Trevor Whittington sent a full-blooded volley whistling past the post in first half injury time.

Oadby forward Marvin Blake fired over from a promising position before the impressive Whittington won the ball at the opposite end for Mark Neath to send a snap shot inches wide.

Studley's best chance came in the 67th minute when Paul Harmer climbed to head a James Hayden corner two yards out only to see the ball bounce clear off the unwitting Whittington on the line.

Craig Gillett was guilty of two wasteful headers in a frantic finish and Studley were given a let-off when Mark Taft's attempted backheel went wide after a Daniel Poultney cross in the 76th minute.

And Beasley had to be alert a minute from time to tip a fierce Adam Turner free kick on to the bar.