HIGH-flying Town were held by the blues at Kirklands thus putting a further dent into their championship hopes following last week’s defeat by Curzon.

Defences dominated in a hardfought battle with the home side feeling as if they could have edged it.

On five minutes new signing Joe Holt combined with Cairns to create the first opportunity, but the Laird frontman’s effort was saved by Ollershaw.

Town had their first real opportunity on 14 minutes when a cross from Gahgan was cleared by the home defence only for Henders to be caught in possession on the edge of the area.

McCarten’s shot was saved by Langley and from the corner McCarten had a free header but fired over the bar.

On half-an-hour a Fred Potter cross found Joe Evans but his effort was saved, and from the corner a combination of Thompson and the near post kept out Evans cross.

The second period mirrored the first with the excellent Dysart for Laird limiting chances for the visitors.

Kilheeney had his first effort of the game on 55 minutes, which Langley saved and a minute later McKenna fired wide from the edge of the area.

Lairds’ best chances of the half all fell to Jamie Henders; on 71 minutes his overhead kick was dealt with by the Town keeper, and six minutes later a 40-yard effort had Ollershaw struggling to get back but the shot was a yard wide.

Ruane replaced Kilheeney late on, and in the 89 minutes his effort was brilliantly stopped by Langley in the home goal thus sealing an excellent point for the blues against the leaders.