It was the first time since February 2011 that United had been involved in a goalless draw, but a point was fully deserved against a YMCA side who ran riot in their previous home league fixture by defeating Hailsham Town 11-0
Dean Stevens returned to the starting line-up after a two month absence through injury, while Aaron Capon and Russ Tanner also returned.
The opening twenty minutes saw little in the way of clear cut opportunities, with United restricting YMCA to half chances that didn’t threaten Tanner
Dan Sullivan went close twice in quick succession for the hosts, firstly slipping with just Tanner to beat, before connecting with a cross from Dave Brown cross at the far post with a sliding effort that was deflected wide by Adam Davidson.
Phil Gault found a gap in the United defence and found himself clean through moments later, and even though he beat Tanner to the ball, his lob was well smothered by the experienced United ‘keeper
United’s best chance of a lively first half came after Aaron Capon burst down the right wing and his pass eventually found its way into Lucas Mann, who saw his effort deflected by YMCA ‘keeper Simon Lockwood before being thumped off the line and onto his own post by YM’s Dean Carden, before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
The second half saw the game become more stretched as both teams looked to exploit the others attacking mentality and attack on the break.
Mann headed just over three minutes into the second period, moments before Tanner produced an outstanding stop to deny Brown.
The pace of Jason Taylor and Bailo Camara caused the home defence problems, with both centre halves receiving cautions from the referee after the duo were brought down when running at goal
YMCA substitute Anthony Hibbert had arguably the chance of the game for either side, but could only head over from three yards despite being unmarked
A visibly tired Stevens was withdrawn from the action with ten minutes remaining having given an all action display in the centre of midfield and was replaced by Kele Buay.
Buay had the perfect opportunity to open his United account in the final minute as he rounded an onrushing Lockwood, but slipped over just outside of the area. The move wasn’t over however and found its way to Taylor, but Lockwood recovered to smother his effort as United secured a first clean sheet in the league since the opening game of the season.