Hendon and Margate played out a highly-competitive goalless draw that didn't lack interest, but didn't hit the heights in terms of action and incident in either penalty area. At the final whistle it was probably Hendon who were the happier with a share of the spoils, whereas the Margate would have felt they deserved all three points.

The Greens were forced to make a few changes from the team which had beaten Hampton & Richmond Borough on Tuesday night. Junior Morias was recalled by Wycombe Wanderers - he was a named substitute for the League Two club - and Isaiah Rankin took over in the starting role.

Other changes saw Howard Hall return at the expense of the suspended Kevin Maclaren, while Jack Connors replaced Jack Bennett. A new signing was on the bench: Warren Goodhind, the former Barnet, Oxford United, Cambridge United and Rochdale defender, who saw action with Thurrock and Eastleigh last season.

Sadly, he was called into action after just 15 minutes when Elliott Brathwaite went down in agony, having suffered an injury as he cleared the ball. The early diagnosis was a hyperextended knee, but the severity of the damage he suffered would not become clear for a few days.

By this time, Margate had shown they were dangerous going forward, with Tom Murphy a particularly dangerous customer. Murphy had already fired over the crossbar when, in the 19th minute he drilled a shot goalwards.

It was arrowing towards the top corner until Berkley Laurencin arched his back and produced an outstanding save, tipping the ball over the crossbar. The defence did its job from the corner and the Greens drew some comfort from the escape.

Going forward, however, Hendon continued to be kept at arm's length by Margate's solid defence, with Lee Angol and Belal Aite-Ouakrim unable to find any openings for themselves or Rankin. Aite-Ouakrim was playing in a deeper role, as was Dean Cracknell as the Greens tried to counter the absence of the Maclaren brothers.

In the 41st minute, Aite-Ouakrim finally managed Hendon's first shot at goal. Margate player-manager Craig Holloway was able to watch the ball bend closer to the corner flag than the far post.

Three minutes, later, Holloway and the Gate had a massive escape. A superb through ball released Angol, who got clear of Joe Vines, then went around Holloway, but was forced wide. Unfortunately, the ball hit a divot and when Angol attempted to knock the ball into the net it bounced off his shin and bobbled into the side-netting.

Hendon continued their good spell in stoppage time, but could not take their first corner because the referee, having allowed a throw-in to be taken as the 45 minutes were reached, brought the half to an end as a Gate defender nodded the ball out of play.

The first good opening of the second half came Hendon's way when the Greens attacked down the right side through Hall and Dean Cracknell, who spotted Connors running into space. His pass was perfectly weighted for the Dagenham & Redbridge youngster, and his shot flashed just wide of the post.

Margate soon got back on top, but they found James Fisher and Sam Flegg in outstanding form, so tried their luck from longer range. A 25-yard drive from Dan Stubbs didn't lack for power, but the direction was straight at Laurencin and the goalkeeper dealt with it comfortably.

Midway through the second half, Sean Sonner came on for Connors and, a couple of minutes later, Margate made their second change, Carl Rook taking over from Kezie Ibe. The former Tonbridge Angels striker had been a thorn in Hendon's side over the years, but he was barely given a look in.

The same could not be said for Ryan Dolby, who, with 11 minutes remaining, spotted a small gap as he brought the ball towards the Hendon penalty area. His strike was rising and swerving towards the roof of the net until a diving, twisting Laurencin tipped the ball over the bar. It was an even better save than his first-half effort.

With eight minutes to go, a shot from the edge of the penalty area surprised the apparently unsighted Holloway, who made a sprawling save to his left. The ball might have been missing the target, but the goalkeeper couldn't take a risk with the shot.

Holloway was probably grateful that the ball, which he couldn't hold, trickled over the goalline for what was the first corner that Hendon could actually take. The organised chaos which ensued resulted in two more in quick succession, but a brave block by John Beales averted the danger.

In the 85th minute, Margate nearly snatched a winning goal. A ball was played into the Hendon box and Joe Vines beat Laurencin with a powerful header. In November, playing for Cray, he had headed over the bar when it seemed easier to score. This time, the ball clipped the top of the crossbar and bounced away for a goal kick.

A minute later, Jack Bennett replaced Aite-Ouakrim, but he didn't get much of a chance to show off his talents. The match ended with Hendon attacking, but the Gate defence was determined not to concede a late and probably undeserved Hendon winner.

Hendon manager Gary McCann said, "This was a point gained for us. Sometimes you feel a draw is two points dropped, but not today. That said, we had the clearest chance of the game, but Lee Angol was undone by a horrible bobble.

"Margate were very strong and forced the pace today, but we defended very well in difficult circumstances, losing a key player early in the game. We were very leggy, didn't pass the ball well and took the wrong option too often."