Spirit FC were good value for their point, holding true Premiership aspirants Macarthur Rams to a 0-0 draw on a sunny afternoon at Christie Park on Sunday.

Macarthur came into the game with 5 wins in a row, sitting just behind Northern Tigers and coach Claudio Canosa would have seen this as a clear opportunity against the young Spirit side to keep the pressure on. Spirit for their part needed at least something from the game to avoid dropping perilously close to the spoon.

As 0-0 draws go, it was a cracker of a game with both sides committed to the fray.

In the 3rd minute the Rams, running downhill, had a clear opportunity to test Spirit 'keeper Murray Nelson's skills. Michael Brown moved down free on the left hit a cross to Stefan Donevski who miskicked wide from right in front.

Spirit tried hard to get a shot in on target but their lack of a genuine goal poacher haunts them.

In the 18th minute the Rams got their best chance of the game to take the lead, when they were awarded a penalty. Shannon Hankin stepped up to take it but his attempt was soft and Murray Nelson picked the correct (left side) to get his hands to the shot and bundle it away.

In the 41st minute the Rams had the ball in the net but it was well off-side and didn't register with the scoreboard, and some solid defending kept the Rams at bay before the half-time whistle.

In the 66th minute Andrew Robertson got down the left, with a free shot available, however he took it too wide and hit it well outside the left upright.

The best chance for Spirit came in the 71st minute as Michael Candy hit a fine volley off a ball from the right to bring a great save out of Rams 'keeper Chad Taylor.

The game was getting a bit willing as the Rams frustrations rose, but it was mainly hand-bags. Referee Stephen Lucas kept good control and limited unnecessary cards.

The Rams pressed but couldn't break down the Spirit defence, and were exposed when they did to raids on the break.

In the end the draw was a fair result and Spirit worth the point that will bring brief relief to coach Deam Savetta. Claudio Canosa was visibly unhappy, and he must regroup to catch the Tigers who had a good win away to move 4 points clear.

'Grade' 20: Spirit FC 4 - Macarthur Rams FC 0