Town were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw with AFC Wimbledon at The County Ground earlier today.
Chances were few and far between in a timid first-half and it was honours even at the break, with John Goddard having the best opportunity for the Reds.
The Reds attacked with plenty of endeavour after the break but it proved to be a frustrating afternoon and they were forced to settle for a point.
Town were forced into making one change with Brad Barry replacing the injured Nathan Thompson at right-back, allowing Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill to come back into the fold via the bench.
It was another huge game for The Reds as they looked to stretch their unbeaten run to four straight games and give their survival hopes another boost.
However, it took both teams a while to get going with the first clear-cut chance of the game not arriving until just shy of the twenty-minute mark with Conor Thomas skewing an effort wide after being picked out inside the area by Jon Obika.
Fankaty Dabo then sent an inviting cross into the area but it just had a little bit too much on it and it evaded the stretched out leg of Obika.
Obika was busy in the opening stages of the game and he went close midway through the first-half after warming the palms of Joe McDonnell from distance.
Town were forced to play with ten men for a short period with John Goddard off the field receiving treatment for a facial injury, and that allowed the visitors to try their luck with Tyrone Barnett scuffing a shot into the arms of Lawrence Vigouroux.
Goddard was soon back on the field of play but Town were still struggling to grab a foothold in the game.
But the hosts came close towards the end of the half and it was Goddard with the chance as his bullet of a shot was tipped around the post by McDonnell.
There were to be no goals before half-time although AFC Wimbledon tried their best to break the deadlock with the Town defence having to stand firm to clear a couple of dangerous crosses from George Francomb.
Town started the second-half on the front foot and won themselves an early corner after Charlie Colkett’s drive from distance was deflected behind.
Nicky Ajose then had a chance to potentially open the scoring but he could only fire way over from a free-kick.
However, the game soon turned scrappy again and, as a result, Town opted for a pair of fresh legs with Ben Gladwin coming on to replace Goddard.
AFC Wimbledon then went close to landing the first blow of the afternoon just shy of the hour mark as Barnett’s shot was deflected just past the post.
Town knew anything less than three points would not be good enough but they were being kept at bay by their guests who were defending well.
Gladwin led a swift counter-attack as he broke at pace but he was eventually dispossessed, before Jake Reeves sent a half-volley well over the bar at the other end.
Luke Norris replaced Charlie Colkett with just over fifteen minutes remaining as The Reds looked to commit plenty of bodies forward in the search for a vital winner.
They were heaping plenty of pressure on their guests as Barry’s cross was cut out by McDonnell, before the former sent a thumping effort just over the crossbar from distance.
Vigouroux then produced some more heroics in the dying minutes to deny Jake Reeves who burst clean through on goal, with both sides having to settle for a point.
TEAMS AND STATS:
TOWN -Vigouroux; Barry, Conroy, Rossi-Branco (C), Dabo; Ince, Thomas, Colkett (Luke Norris 73), Goddard (Ben Gladwin 58); Ajose, Obika.
Subs Not Used -Henry, Ormonde-Ottewill, Brophy, Rodgers, Starkey.
AFC WIMBLEDON -McDonnell; Meades, Robinson (C), Charles, Francomb (Alfie Egan 85); Kelly, Bulman, Soares (Dean Parrett 79), Reeves; Barnett (Andy Barcham 79), Taylor.
Subs Not Used -Burskik, Nightingale, Oakley, Fitzpatrick.
Referee -Michael Salisbury
BOOKINGS:
AFC WIMBLEDON -Tom Soares, George Francomb, Paul Robinson.
ATTENDANCE -7,716 (869).
