Southern League newcomers Slimbridge held Forest Green Rovers to a goalless draw in the traditional pre-season meeting between the two clubs at Wisloe Road, writes Richard Joyce.

Playing their second game against South & West Division opposition in the space of less than 24 hours, Ady Pennock's side couldn’t break down a resolute Slimbridge outfit, who showed grit and determination to earn an impressive draw.

The home side were terrific throughout the afternoon, with their work rate typified by the energy shown by former Aldershot and Shortwood striker Sean Lawson, who saw his early shot confidently stopped by FGR’s latest arrival, Jonny Maxted.

Paul Fahy looked lively for the Swans and he forced Maxted into another stop, while a glut of FGR openings came after the half hour mark with Delano Sam-Yorke and Rob Sinclair both struggling to find the game a goal.

Adam Mace made Maxted work again with a good strike, while 16-year-old Academy wide man, Giancarlo Gabbiadini,nephew of former Sunderland striker Marco, did brilliantly to create an opening with a terrific moment of skill – only to see his attempt deflect away.

A scorching afternoon differed to the rain that had fallen throughout the previous evening’s  2-0 victory at Bishop’s Cleeve, and at the start of the second half Rovers worked two decent openings.

Aarran Racine couldn’t hit the target with a header early on, and Sam-Yorke saw his effort from 20-yards fail to test Swans keeper Dave Evans.

Academy second year midfielder Joe Stokes provided a positive showing when he was introduced as a substitute, and he fed a great ball into Academy graduate Louis McGrory on 72 minutes who saw his final effort saved by Evans.

With a whole new eleven on the field, and with the match reaching its climax, it looked possible that FGR would finally find a way through.

And their closest opening came on 83 minutes. Great work by Elliott Frear saw the England C man feed Aaron O’Connor with a cross but the former Newport County striker could only direct his attempt inches past the post.

Another accurate Frear delivery followed minutes later, although the experienced Jon Parkin couldn’t hit the target with his side footed volley, towards the back post.

FGR: J Maxted, D Bennett, J Jennings, T Bender, A Racine, D Sam-Yorke, C Kamdjo, R Sinclair, G Gabbiadini, C Moore, K Guthrie, D Pipe, M Kelly, A Baldwin, D Jones, K Marsh-Brown, E Frear, J Stokes, L McGrory, A O'Connor, J Parkin, P White

Subs not used: J Richardson, I Mahmood.