Bottom side Corinthian Casuals battled superbly to earn a goal-less draw away to third-placed Hastings United on Saturday.

Casuals, already relegated from Ryman League Division One South, shut out the normally free-scoring Hastings attack.

Their plan of trying to catch the home side on the break worked so well that the three points could have been heading back to Tolworth.

Despite conceding two-thirds of the possession, Casuals created the most chances through the lightening pace of their counter attacks.

Jamie Byatt drove the first chance wide, and Andre McCollin then raced through the East Sussex side's defence, only to be unceremoniously flattened.

Hastings pressed for long spells and Sam Adams shot against the base of Colin Harris' right hand post on one of the rare occasions that United found any space. Chris Horwood blocked another Adams shot that looked destined for the net.

Two fine breaks by Byatt resulted in Danny Green volleying over and McCollin having a goal disallowed for the tightest of off-side decisions.

Referee Rendell looked decidedly ill near the break and in the second-half was replaced by young linesman Darren Eaton.

Goalkeeper Harris saved Casuals in the second half with a flying stop from Lee Carey.

But after surviving heavy pressure, Casuals looked likely to score when Tyrone Myton set up McCollin. Unfortunately, his scuffed shot hit keeper Lee Worgan's legs.

Casuals: Harris, Holloway, Hennessy, Hassell, Horwood, Dunne, Myton (Hall, 86mins), Colt-Bolt, McCollin, Byatt (Hayward, 90), Green. Subs unused: Saadi, Winnen.

Attendance: 535.