NEW Winchester City boss Craig Davis had mixed feelings after yesterday’s 0-0 home stalemate with Larkhall Athletic in the Southern One South & West.

While pleased to “stop the rot” after five straight league defeats – two of them under his charge – he was disappointed not to claim all three points.

Keeping a clean sheet was a bonus but, worryingly for City, they have not scored since their 3-1 defeat at Salisbury on March 14.

Winchester showed plenty of endeavour but, despite creating several first-half openings, they seldom tested Shaun Semmens in the Larks’ goal.

Indeed, it was their own ’keeper Lewis Noice who came under the spotlight when he fouled Greg Peel at the expense of a penalty. Thankfully for Winchester, Jamie Lyons miscued from 12 yards.

City forced a lot of second-half corners, but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring. Ben Brooks headed straight at Noice before Joe Tumelty’s effort was parried by the former Eastleigh ’keeper and Robbie Matthews – commanding on his return to the side – dealt with the loose ball.

Player/manager Davis, who was a sitting out a one-match ban, reflected: “Once again we didn't have a protecting player in midfield.

"This showed later in the game where we got a bit stretched and they had a couple of chances that wouldn't have happened if we’d had that sort of player to do the ugly side of the game, plug gaps and win the ball back.

"I have to say though that Jenks and Baz (Andy Jenkinson and Barron) in central midfielder worked very hard and played some great stuff.

“We created chance after chance first half. A couple of great runs from Greener and Feens (Stuart Green and Craig Feeney) got them in, but the ball wouldn't drop for us.

“To have gone behind to the penalty would have been a travesty. We really should have been three or four up. We are just lacking that confidence in front of goal at the moment.”

Matthews’ towering return was a plus point, having missed a few games for personal reasons.

“I was delighted with Robbie today,” smiled Davis. “I convinced him to come back and help us out and he was massive for us alongside the excellent Fordy (Jamie Ford).”