Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have collected another point in their battle for division 1 survival following a 0-0 draw in Auckland against Papatoetoe AFC. In the club's first ever visit to Murdoch Park, the Swifts put in one of their best footballing performances of the season but couldn't finish any of their many excellent chances.

Matamata was particularly strong during the first half and carved out a great opening within two minutes. Stu Watene played in Harry Redwood who smashed a first time effort narrowly over the bar. This set the scene for the first 45 minutes.

The Swifts pressed a Papatoetoe side who seemed content with their league position and appeared unwilling to compete in the blustery conditions.

More great chances came and went for Matamata. Glen Carmichael drove the ball over from the edge of the box, while Ged Parkinson all but got on the end of a Brock Kayll free kick to nod the ball into an open net.

Redwood and Watene were great out wide for Matamata causing nightmares for the Papatoetoe fullbacks, while Kayll and captain, Jon Allen, were dominant in the middle of the park.

The home team came into the game more in the second half as the game opened up, but it wasn't until the 65th minute before Tom Pamment in the Matamata goal was called on to make anything resembling a save.

Before then, however, Matamata had crafted several more great chances. The Swifts went close from a corner, then saw Glen Carmichael send a powerful header over the bar. Andrew Clothier also got in on the act, driving forward from left back only to be stopped by a desperate last ditch tackle.

Papatoetoe looked more likely during the closing stages and twice forced Pamment into action to preserve his clean sheet. The home side counter attacked well during the final fifteen minutes and, after being second best for most of the match, had the chance to snatch an unlikely three points. They couldn't manage it, however, and for the second time this season these two sides finished an entertaining game without any goals being scored.

The Matamata back four, containing two suspension-related changes from last week, was nice and solid. Mike Spencer played well in his 50th game for the Swifts, while Matamata finished with ten men after Brock Kayll was shown a second yellow card with seven minutes remaining.