The Hatters’ first of three matches in March with Saturday lunchtime kick-offs saw them share the spoils without troubling the scorers at Edgeley Park against in-form play-off rivals Charlton.
What was also their second draw in four days, and first goal-less stalemate since that in SK3 with Wigan five months previously, featured a greater share of opportunities for County to break the deadlock – especially during the second half, when Kyle Wootton struck the woodwork.
The Hatters took to the field in bright sunshine for the early start scheduled to accommodate live television coverage, and showing five changes from their midweek starting line-up at Northampton. Will Collar, Ollie Norwood, Ryan Rydel, Macauley Southam-Hales and Wootton made up the recalled quintet – replacing Callum Connolly, Sam Cosgrove, Kyle Knoyle, Owen Moxon and Ibby Touray, all of whom were named among the substitutes.
A mazy dribble into the box by Tanto Olaofe before a minute was on the clock earned County the first corner of the afternoon, after the striker’s shot was deflected beyond the left post by Kayne Ramsay. And, at the other end, two minutes later, Miles Leaburn cut in from the left to unleash an effort that cleared the Cheadle End crossbar.
The next pieces of early action featured Callum Camps, who – having moments earlier struck a shot that took a deflection behind – went to ground in the Charlton area under a challenge from Thierry Small, but Referee Coy, without undue ceremony, signalled for a goal-kick rather than a spot-kick.
Shortly after the quarter-hour mark, the South-East London visitors – arriving at EP on the back of three straight wins (including two against fellow play-off contenders) which had propelled them up into fifth place, one position and two points behind County – went close again through Luke Berry, who spooned a shot over at the far post after the Hatters had failed properly to clear Josh Edwards’ long throw from the right.
Ramsay was the next Addick to try his luck, courtesy of a shot from distance that stung Corey Addai’s hands. And, just past the first half’s mid-point, a County break saw Collar cross from the right for Wootton – whose header was gathered up by visiting goalkeeper Will Mannion.
Ten minutes ahead of the break, a free-kick from the left by Rydel – making his 100th appearance as a Hatter – found Ethan Pye, who headed wide of the far upright. And, unusually, not a second of added time was played as the sides went in at half-time with both defences unbreached.
HALF-TIME: County 0, Charlton 0.
Having not registered an attempt on target during the first half, the Hatters did so within less than a minute of the second, as Collar headed on Rydel’s cross from the left to Wootton – whose shot was superbly parried off the line by Mannion.
Collar then saw an effort deflected past the left post – and, from the resulting corner by Norwood, a Brad Hills header fell to Wootton, who went close again with a strike on the turn that hit the top of the bar.
County’s good attacking spell continued the other side of the hour, with Camps firing narrowly over from the edge of the box – but it was also punctuated by breaks for treatment of visiting players, with substitute Chuks Aneke (twice) and Lloyd Jones receiving attention from their Physio.
Benoný Andrésson and Moxon were brought on to assist the County cause with a quarter of an hour remaining – and the Hatters continued to press, as Olaofe and earlier substitute Knoyle had shots deflected behind, before Mannion was forced to tip Lewis Bate’s free-kick from the right around the far post.
Andrésson was subsequently within a whisker of scoring in his third successive game, but could not quite apply a touch when sliding in pursuit of Collar’s low delivery from the left.
Chances for the Addicks had been at a premium since the interval – but, with two minutes remaining, they went close through Macaulay Gillesphey, who headed just shy of the near post after connecting with Karoy Anderson’s left-flank cross.
FULL-TIME: County 0, Charlton 0.
Team (4-2-2-2): Addai; Southam-Hales (Knoyle, 58), Hills, Pye, Rydel; Bate (Capt.), Norwood (Moxon, 75); Collar (Cosgrove, 90 + 1), Camps; Wootton (Andrésson, 75), Olaofe.
Unused Subs: Metcalfe, Touray, Connolly.
Man of the Match: Hills.
Attendance: 10,338 (1,193 away).
Reporter: Gareth Evans.
Photographer: Mike Petch.
