Rocks Review: Sittingbourne 0 Rocks 0

The stalemate pushed the Rocks down to third in the table behind leaders Dulwich Hamlet and Worthing, who both won.

They travelled hoping to continue their 100 per cent start to the season, with goalkeeper Craig Stoner making his 400th appearance for the club.

In what was to be an uninspiring first half, it took 17 minutes for the game’s first meaningful attack.

Sittingbourne’s Nnamani collected the ball on the left and cut inside but his low drive was saved at the near post by Stoner.

Five minutes later the Rocks could have taken the lead when Tim Bond met Ben Johnson’s corner unmarked, but could only power his header low over the bar.

In the 37th minute more good work from Johnson saw him send over a teasing cross which was met at the far post by Dan Beck. However, he could only divert his header wide of the post.

In the 65th minute, Bognor finally got an effort on target. After neat work on the edge of the box, James Fraser set himself up and although his effort was well struck, it was too close to the keeper.

Fifteen minutes from time the hosts almost broke the deadlock when the ball fell to Billy Manners.

However, his effort from the edge of the box shaved the crossbar.

BOGNOR: Stoner, Crane, Whitehead, Fraser, Axten, Bond, Beck, Wills, Prior, Dodd, Johnson. Subs: Nightingale, Marzetti, Breach, Ide.

The Rocks’ next game is on Tuesday night at home to Crawley Down, who have yet to win a league game since promotion from the Sussex League.

In today’s other local football, Chichester City made FA Vase progress but Selsey bowed out.

Chichester won 2-1 after extra time at Saltdean, but the Blues lost by the same score at home to Redhill.

Pagham’s brilliant start to the campaign continued as they came from 2-1 down to win 4-2 at Peacehaven in the John O’Hara Cup. The only blot on their landscape was that with them not playing in the league, Rye knocked them off top spot.

In county league action, Midhurst got their first home point of the season with a thrilling 3-3 draw with Oakwood in division two, while Bosham drew with Ifield Edwards in the third tier.

Get all the local football action in the Observer out on Thursday.

Pictured at the top of the article is the Rocks on the attack at Sittingbourne. Photo by Tommy McMillan