FAWLEY AFC put the cat among pigeons in the Sydenhams Premier title race on Saturday by holding league leaders Petersfield Town to a 0-0 Long Lane stalemate.

The result hasn’t changed Oilers’ co-boss Richie Coxall’s view that the Rams will be crowned champions, but it has certainly made things more interesting at the top.

Second-placed Moneyfields’ 5-2 win over Whitchurch has narrowed the gap to just one point – albeit that Petersfield have played three games fewer than their Portsmouth area rivals.

The result will also have been greeted with interest at third-placed Winchester City who are four points behind the leaders having played one game more.

For 17th-placed Fawley the point was another important step towards survival – and thoroughly well earned, according to the boss.

“It wasn’t a typical 0-0,” said Coxall. “There were an equal amount of chances at both ends and it was one those games that could have gone 2-0 to either side or even ended 3-3.

“We worked hard to shut Pertersfield down and made it difficult for them to play on a bit of a bumpy pitch.

“They like to play football, as we do, and our first chance came when their goalkeeper (Matt Shortt) tried to play the ball out on the floor from the back and gave it straight to Charlie Willett. Charlie tried to curl it round him, but the ’keeper saved it.”

The bad news for Petersfield is they haven’t seen the last of Fawley. The Oilers are due at the Rams’ Love Lane HQ on March 28.

“We proved on Saturday and in our 2-2 draw at Moneyfields that if we work hard collectively and really apply ourselves, we can compete with these top sides,” said Coxall.

“We’ve got 33 points now from 33 games and if we can get to 40 that will be a job well done.

“We had Chris Lucas back in central defence after suspension and Kieran Earl was outstanding in the middle of the park with Dane Sayce.”

Fawley have also welcomed back young wide right player Roy Johnson after a long spell out with knee trouble.

With Petersfield engaged in Sydenhams League Cup semi-final action against Bemerton at Alresford Town FC tonight, Moneyfields could reclaim pole position by beating rock-bottom Totton & Eling at Millers Park.

Moneys twice fell behind to Whitchurch (Josh Green, Jamie Mansell) on Saturday but, come the hour mark, Alfie Rutherford and fellow teenager Ryan Pennary had levelled matters 2-2.

Late efforts by Steve Hutchings, Lewis Fennemore and Tyler Giddings polished off a welcome win for Miles Rutherford’s men who started another up-and-coming teen, Curtis De Costa, at centre-half.