EAST Thurrock United started their run of three consecutive home National League South fixtures by playing out a goalless draw with Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Rocks welcomed Hampton to Rookery Hill looking to aid their hopes of remaining in the division.

Although East Thurrock remain six points adrift of safety, John Coventry’s side will face Torquay United and Billericay Town next week having kept a welcome clean sheet.

Rocks created a presentable chance with 12 minutes on the clock as Reece Prestedge knocked down a cross from Alex Osborn, but no-one was on hand to turn the ball home.

Hampton felt they should have been awarded a penalty midway through the first half as Ryan Hill appeared to be brought down, but the referee waved away the appeals.

The man in the middle was unmoved once again as Rocks appealed for a penalty of their own two minutes before the interval.

Sam Higgins flicked the ball through for Sam Ashford, who replaced Osborn as an early substitute, and he went to ground under a challenge from Rian Bray.

Ashford sent a glancing header wide of the target two minutes after the break before the ex-Witham Town man blazed over the crossbar when he should have hit the target soon after.

East Thurrock passed up a glorious chance to break the deadlock 15 minutes from time as Ryan Scott headed wide from six yards out.

Ashford lashed wide in injury time and neither side could find the back of the net.