LITTLE Oakley extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in the Essex Senior League with a 0-0 draw at Southend-based White Ensign, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

The Acorns' seven-match winning run was ended and they remain five points ahead of their hosts in the table, in a game that will quickly be forgotten.

The first real opportunity fell to Ensign with a long ball out of defence which was flicked onto Campbell.

But he fired high and wide after trying to control a bouncing ball and managing a shot at the same time.

With much of the game being played in midfield, Oakley won the ball with a good tackle from Owusu Boakye.

His through ball found Mann who cut into the centre of the Ensign box and shot with force, but the shot comfortably cleared the bar.

Rowe drove a shot wide of the post soon after and although Oakley were the beater team with a high percentage of the possession, they were creating very few chances.

Oakley went close before half-time when Rowe's side-footed effort at the far post was saved by the Ensign keeper Hawes with his legs, after the hard-working Mann had fought his way into the box.

The teams went in level at the break and there was some industrial tackling early in the second half, with two Ensign players booked and Mann cautioned for simulation.

Mann fired into the side netting after a good move and Oakley were running the game and producing several half chances in quick succession.

A quickly-taken throw found Mann who crossed into the Ensign box, leading to Garrard's scissor kick clearing the bar.

Further half chances fell to Cooke, Rowe and Mann with all of their attempts going wide or over but Ensign posed very little treat to Oakley’s goal.

Nevertheless, the Acorns were unable to create any clear-cut chances in a game that was fragmented at best.

Little Oakley man of the match was Ekow Owusu-Boakye, who was always able to stop any attack and work tirelessly for the team.