LODDON put the midweek 6-0 defeat by North Walsham well behind them and showed real character in holding title-chasing Acle to a 0-0 draw. On their first-half performance, and with a bit of luck in front of goal, they could easily have won.

LODDON put the midweek 6-0 defeat by North Walsham well behind them and showed real character in holding title-chasing Acle to a 0-0 draw.

On their first-half performance, and with a bit of luck in front of goal, they could easily have won.

Early territorial advantage was with Loddon and in the first minute Wright almost got to a Gunton cross. Acle shot high and wide from well out but Loddon broke back with Sadler and Greenhalf looking useful down the left.

Brown held up a Shipley clearance and chipped through for Summons, but his looping header didn't threaten the home keeper.

Wright then crossed into the box but a defender just got there first. The resultant corner saw a goalmouth scramble but it just wouldn't fall for Loddon.

Sadler took a quick free-kick to Summons and Andersen found space but could not find Wright.

His next cross had the keeper back-peddalling, but it drifted over the bar. Acle broke down the left, but Greenhalf's challenge prevented a free header and

Collins claimed.

Brown then did well to regain possession only for the referee to blow when he could have allowed advantage.

Durrant delivered and Andersen sliced his effort wide. Wright then had a drive after good work by Sadler. Summons was next to slice a shot wide. Andersen had another effort blocked, and Gricks fed Sadler who was unlucky with his control. Corners at each end, a stylish flick by Brown and half-time tea was beckoning.

Collins collected an early Acle cross before a neat Loddon move saw Summons just fail to connect close in. Durrant was booked for an innocent-looking tackle but Gricks rose well to head clear the kick.

Acle had a free-kick in their own half from which their centre half took a shot. Fortunately Collins had it covered.

Acle were having more of the game in this second half and Loddon's more frequent long balls were being easily cut out.

Acle had a shot across the face of the goal. Loddon then had a chance when Sadler was pushed on the edge of the box. Brown's kick was cleared to Andersen, whose shot hit Sadler and fell to the keeper.

Great work by Brown regained possession, Shipley made another well-timed interception but an Acle throw was allowed to bounce in the box and Shipley went close to heading into his own top corner. Andersen received a nasty bump on the head and was replaced by Frost.

Frost received the ball from Brown and did well when quickly closed down, but a goalkick resulted.

Durrant showed stylish defending again, Acle shot wide, Matt Ayre came on for the last five minutes, Frost had another shot deflected wide, Acle failed to convert the last corner and the spoils were shared.

A good all-round team performance. Brown again led his front line well, Sadler had an excellent first 45, but Musker McIntyre man of the match goes to Richard Durrant.

Loddon: Collins, Gunton, Shipley, Durrant, Greenhalf, Andersen D, Summons G, Gricks, Sadler, Wright, Brown. Subs: Frost, Ayre, Creegan.