Kay: Austrey stalemate is two points dropped

Jon Byrne was Hibs saviour as they played out a goalless draw against Austrey.

Rangers had been thrashed 5-0 by Kenilworth Town the previous week, but on a heavy pitch buffetted by a strong wind, they dug in to frustrate the visitors, even after having been reduced to ten men shortly before the break.

Kay, who came closest to breaking the deadlock for Hibs with two efforts against the woodwork, said an eighth clean sheet in 15 was a positive, as was the inability of their promotion rivals to take advantage, but said his side could ill-afford many more slip-ups.

“Credit to Austrey, they played well with ten men and defended for their lives and frustrated us,” said Kay.

“It’s two points dropped but the positives are that all the teams going for promotion dropped points so it’s as you were.

“Again, it’s another clean sheet and the back four and keeper were excellent, with Sam Scott outstanding at left-back.

“But we havent taken our chances and it has cost us the three points.

“We have to win these games as draws are not good enough if we are serious about challenging for promotion.”

Calum Yeates missed two early one-on-ones, while Ryan Macbeth had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed for offside.

However, Austrey always looked dangerous on the counter, even after a clumsy foul on Macbeth saw them reduced to ten, and it needed a superb last-ditch challenge from Jon Byrne to deny them a tap-in at the far post.