WINCHESTER City’s free-scoring run ground to a resounding halt in their 0-0 draw with Yate Town in the Southern League South & West on Saturday at Lodge Road.

On a major positive note, though, and something that will please City, is a clean-sheet, which hasn’t been forthcoming in their first two opening games.

It has been a case of, ‘you score two, we’ll score three’ at the Denplan City Ground since their arrival in the South & West.

A 7-2 win against Bridgwater Town on the opening day and a 6-5 win over Wimborne last Tuesday saw City ship seven goals in just two games.

Had their forward line not been as prolific as they have been, then it would have been a fairly disastrous start.

However, thanks to the unreal form of Warren Bentley it has been an eye-catching start from last term’s Sydenhams Division runner-ups.

It all changed against the Bluebells, though, who have scored one and conceded one in their three games so – a stark contrast to 20 goals for Paul Masters’ side.

There were chances for Winchester to score, but none of them yielded an end product.

Twenty minutes had past when Winchester had their first real chance, as Dan Cann swung in a dangerous cross.

Striker Zach Glasspool controlled well, but his shot went straight at the keeper.

Bentley, who has struck nine goals in three games this term, found Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts in the second period, but the quick winger fired inches wide.

The dinky striker, who has been accustomed to every shot going in so far this term, was then on target with a shot from substitute Geoff Dunn’s cross, but the keeper was equal to it.

The former Alresford man was then bundled over in the box, which led to appeals for a penalty that were turned down.

Jake Newton then had City’s last effort in South Gloucestershire, but his pile driver flew narrowly wide.