Welsh Premier League
Port Talbot 0, The New Saints 0
A SCORELESS stalemate saw The New Saints take a further step towards retaining their Welsh Premier League title.
They had looked the more likely side to score throughout in a game where two efficient defences ensured that clear-cut chances were at a premium.
Port Talbot 'keeper David Cornell, on loan from Swansea, was the busier of the two custodians and was in action in the first half turning aside efforts from Aeron Edwards and Matty Williams.
Williams, the main threat, might have done better with an effort he pulled wide of the post after receiving Matthew Berkeley's through ball.
At the other end Paul Harrison was alert to make a comfortable save from an isolated Luke Bowen effort.
Chris Sharp went closer still as he saw his shot blocked by the legs of Cornell who was grateful to the woodwork as, with time running out, Tommy Holmes sent his diving header against the foot of the post from a Craig Jones cross.
Ironically it could have been the Steelmen who seized the points when an injury time shot from Edwards went close for the home side.
With Bangor City falling further behind in the title race with a 2-1 home defeat to Prestatyn on Friday night, neither Port Talbot boss, Mark Jones, or Saints manager, Mike Davies, will be unhappy with a point.
l Mike Davies has won his first Manager of the Month award since his appointment at the end of last season.
His team has remained unbeaten through February and March overcome a deficit of 16 points in the league and remained unbeaten in 27 games in all competitions.
On Saturday, Saints travel to Aberystwyth for a Welsh Cup semi-final game against Llanelli. Kick off is at 3.05.
They face the winners of the other semi-final between Bangor City and Connah's Quay which starts at 12.30pm.