United made it three draws from four npower league 2 games with a scoreless ninety minutes against Accrington.

Both teams had performed creditably in the Carling Cup before losing to Premier League opponents but The U's looked the leggier of the two sides in the first half despite having played West Ham 24 hours earlier than Accrington had taken on Newcastle. Stanley, matching the U's 4-3-3 formation, had the first two efforts of the match though with Ryan Clarke pushing both wide of his left hand post (even if the first save wasn't spotted and a goal kick awarded).

Clarke was at full stretch to push another effort from Sean McConville away on fifteen minutes and Ray Putterill peppered the carpark on 19 as the visitors continued to create all of the early chances. It wasn't until the twenty minute mark that the U's started to shake off their Upton Park weariness and force one or two corners, but with Accrington harrying them the passing was often a yard short and the movement laboured.

The previous two games against Bury and Wycombe had seen United create a host of chances but fail to take any: would this be the game where they seized upon their first opening?

They almost did exactly that on 50 as Constable escaped the shackles but fired into the side netting from a tight angle then went even closer on 54. A great cross from the right by Ben Purkiss on his home debut was intelligently nodded down by Midson at the far post and Constable twisted in midair to volley a shot which keeper Dunbavin was grateful to grasp; a foot either side and it was the opener.

A minute later there were changes up front as Mitchell Cole and Alfie Potter replaced Midson and Green then just after the hour Richie Baker replaced the hard tackling Dannie Bulman in midfield. Accrington's goal threat had diminished after the break (one fine punch away from Clarke excepted)  and United had upped the tempo, but there was no  room in midfield and neither side was truly able to get the better of two very strong defences.

The closest we were to come was on 80 as a superb run from Potter cut like a Stanley knife before his low cross was shimmied then shot by Constable to force Dunbavin to smother his shot from eight yards.

Another draw, and United have still only lost one game at this higher level. It may not have been the emotional 0-0 at Burton or the unlucky 0-0 at Wycombe, but United continue to defend solidly and sooner or later will nick one of these sort of games and be off and running.

Att: 6,428

Away: 123

Report by Chris Williams

Fifty/50 winning number: 108559, £1207