A fiercely determined Oxford United picked up a point at Peterborough today as they scrapped their way to a 0-0 draw that made it two draws in a row on the road .
It wasn't the prettiest performance but pretty is not what's required right now.
Instead, United sacrificed a little of their attacking flair and will be relatively pleased to come away from a play-off chasing club with one more point as they look to edge away from danger.
There was a change of shape to a 4-4-1-1 formation, Marcus Browne behind Kyle Joseph up top, a change of colour to an all-yellow kit for a rare league outing, but also a noticeable change in discipline and understanding of what was being asked of them as individuals within the team structure after two weeks on the training pitches to take on board new Head Coach Liam Manning's instructions.
That made them hard to break down as they set their stall out early in a game high in intensity if light on goalmouth action.
A fine strike from Oliver Norburn was the only worry for Simon Eastwood in the first half as it flew two yards harmlessly wide of the right-hand post, while at the other end, an outstanding shimmy from Browne led to a 3-on-1 break that should have earned greater reward than a save by home keeper Will Norris at the feet of Yanic Wildschut, United's best chance of the game.
Don't mistake a lack of chances for a lack of good play though.
There were solid blocks from the midfield duo of Cameron Brannagan and Marcus McGuane, terrific tackles from the outstanding Elliott Moore and Stu Findlay and, having ground their way to half time, United then created another good chance soon after, only for the heels of Joe Ward to block a goalbound drive from Browne.
Peterborough, with a spot in the play-off places their prize, kept probing for openings but found it hard going as United retreated to the edge of their area and denied them space. Oisin Smyth came on and relentlessly closed down home defenders to stop them piling on the pressure, and an away goal became entirely dependent on a breakaway.
Tension rose by the minute. Jonson Clarke-Harris's overhead kick went close, Kwame Poku even closer, but the U's had put in the hard work and edged a point closer to another season in League 1.
Those of you with a glass half empty will know that the winless run continues, those with a glass half full will see two draws away from home, albeit in very different circumstances, and a first clean sheet in 18 games.
Me? I see a team that gave it their absolute everything. And that's a good place to start.
Come and back them against Sheffield Wednesday on Good Friday. Your support might just make all the difference...
Att: 11,199
Away: 847
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds and Darrell Fisher