BIDEFORD were held to a 0-0 draw away to Abingdon United on Saturday – the first side to have kept a clean sheet against the table-topping Robins in the league.

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But the result stretched Bideford’s record to 19 games unbeaten and keeps them 10 points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Division One South and West.

And while Abingdon may be languishing in the lower reaches of the table, it was only a solitary goal that separated the sides when they last met at the Sports Ground in November.

Abingdon keeper James Foster kept his side in the game in the opening half, three times denying Bideford.

After having the ball cut back to him in the area, Matt Andrew hooked the ball towards the bottom corner of the net, but not quite beyond the keeper’s reach.

Squire was similarly denied 10 minutes later when his low drive was also pushed away by the diving keeper.

Midway through the half came another chance when Aaron Harper-Penman came up from defence to pick up on a far-post corner and strike it first time, only for Foster’s quick reactions to save the day for Abingdon once again.

The home side settled better after the initial onslaught, but their only shot was directed straight to the Bideford keeper.

With Jack Furzer already missing at the back through suspension and Harper-Penman injured early in the second half, Bideford had to thank a young back four of debutant Dan Cayford, substitute Sam Sawyer, Nick Barker and James Richards, for a solid defence.

Meanwhile Abingdon sat back at the other end for the rest of the game and soaked up the Robins’ late efforts to grab a winner.

Bideford were playing at Clevedon last night (Tuesday), but have no match this weekend.