FC CLACTON boss Tom Austin felt his side let two points slip through their fingertips after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Hadleigh United on Saturday.

The sides met in a Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest at the Rush Green Bowl.

But after hitting the woodwork twice and squandering chances, the Seasiders had to be a content with a point apiece - an outcome that left them tenth in the table but with games in hand on sides above.

"It was the most one-sided goalless draw I've ever seen," said Austin.

"We hit the post and bar, had a couple of one-on-one opportunities and missed several other chances.

"Hadleigh only had one shot in the second half, so it was definitely a game we controlled and should have won.

"It was disappointing but we're still very well-placed, sitting tenth with games in hand on all the sides above.

"If we were to win them, we'd be up in sixth or seventh.

"There's still a lot to play for with 33 points up for grabs from our last 11 games.

"Hopefully we can finish strongly, in the top ten. That would be something to be proud of.

"We haven't got the financial resources of other sides in our league but if we could crack the top ten, it would show we're doing things properly."

Clacton head to Haverhill Rovers before welcoming premier division leaders Histon to the Bowl next Tuesday.

Austin believes his side are in a good place and was also encouraged to see a crowd of over 100 at the Bowl on Saturday.

"We've got a real family mentality within the squad," he said.

"Everyone's enjoying it and turning up week in, week out.

"The crowds are slowly coming back, too, which is pleasing.

"That's something we hope to make the most of in the last few weeks of the season, especially when we have four home games in a row in April, against Gorleston, Yarmouth, Walsham and Brantham."

Clacton still have one more home game to reschedule - last Tuesday's postponed fixture against Haverhill.

The Seasiders' reserves return to Essex and Suffolk Border League second division action at Harwich Rangers on Saturday.

Their under-18s are due to host Bury Town tonight in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League south division (kick-off 7.45pm).

Last Thursday's match at Sporting 87 was postponed.