DEADLOCK AT BELLE VUE

Saturday's live televised clash, watched by a crowd of 876, saw Rhyl dominate the first half-hour.
In the 15th minute a deep Chris Roberts corner from the right was lobbed across the six-yard box by James Brewerton and George Horan's header was goalbound until Mike Wilde cleared the danger. The ball then broke to Connall Murtagh whose powerful shot was blocked by Michael Jackson.
Andy Moran was not too far away with a 29th minute cross-cum-shot which dipped just over the bar.
Although Rhyl had some promising set-piece positions during this spell Mark Connolly's deliveries were way off synch.
TNS finally began to threaten in the last 10 minutes of the half.
The shaky John Gann spilled a cross from the left by Greg Stones and only an heroic Brewerton block denied Jamie Wood a goal.
A long throw into the box by Duane Courtney then arrived at the feet of Wood who flashed an instant shot wide.
HALF-TIME: 0-0.
Five minutes after the break the visitors were fortunate when keeper Ged Doherty smashed an attempted clearance against Lee Hunt. The ball could have gone anywhere but luckily for the Saints it went wide.
The closest either side came to scoring arrived on 52 minutes when John Leah thundered a 35-yard free-kick against the Rhyl bar.
The hosts were now reliant on breakways and carved out an opening when Connolly advanced towards the area but his tame left-foot drive failed to bother Doherty.
TNS almost edged in front when Scott Ruscoe's header was met by Wilde who nodded just wide under pressure from Mark Powell.
Rhyl's best chance arrived in the 77th minute. Hunt did brilliantly to see off Tommy Holmes on the left and then find Moran in the box, but the club's record WPL marksman lashed into the side netting.
In the last 10 minutes TNS could easily have won it.
Substitute Carl Lamb totally mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy then headed badly wide after Stones flicked on Ruscoe's cross.
Four minutes from time Wilde centred on to Stones' left-foot but he fired over.
In the end a fair result and one which Hulse seemed more pleased with than opposite number Ken McKenna, although TNS benefited from it more.
RHYL TEAM (with performance marks):
John Gann: Handling and positioning was poor and looked shaky throughout. Did not have to make a serious save of note - 6.
Mark Powell: Won plenty of aerial ball and his tackling was spot on - 7.
Chris Roberts: Let no-one down. His corners were better than Connolly's - 7.
Mark Connolly: Poor display. His delivery from set pieces and shooting were well below par - 6.
George Horan: Masterful in the air, gave Wilde few opportunities - 8.
James Brewerton: Whole-hearted and committed throughout, defended superbly - 8.
Gareth Wilson: Never stopped running, competed well against the likes of Ruscoe and Leah -7.
Andy Moran: Sharp and competitive. Should have done better with second-half chance - 7.
Lee Hunt: Never gave the TNS defence a moment's peace. Led the line brilliantly - 9 (MAN OF THE MATCH).
Connall Murtagh: Full of industry, commitment and fine tackles, classy on the ball. Named MoM by S4C experts - 8.
Alex Hay: This was the sort of game where a player of his experience should have shone, but he produced very little - 6.