Brierley’s fifth clean sheet earns a point at Thornvale

It wasn’t pretty, and Ryan Barlow didn’t pretend it was. But a goalless draw at Thornvale Fields ended a run of two defeats, and it gave Jordan Brierley his fifth clean sheet of the season.

Five in 16 league games. Brierley kept out Ervin Town on the opening day at Holloway Lane, then the leaders Kingsmere on their own ground, then Bramwell, Harwick and now Thornvale. He has played in every league game this season.

“Jordan talks all game,” said centre-back Liam Coulson. “You always know where he wants you. Today we needed the point, and we needed someone to be calm. That was him.”

Ashbourne stay sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Redcliffe Albion. Three away games come next, then the leaders at Holloway Lane.