The defensive work appears to be paying off for Enfield Borough as they kept only their third clean sheet of the season and picked up a first point in five matches with Broadfields United in a goalless draw.

Having shipped seven goals at in-form Winslow United the previous weekend, it was clear matters needed addressing at the back. The signs are promising after the 0-0 draw with the team third in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One table followed a mid-week cup victory over Arlesey Town.

Enfield went into the game having conceded 36 goals in just 15 matches whereas their opponents’ miserly backline had let in just nine in 10 league outings, but on Saturday’s evidence it was hard to separate them.

A low-key first half saw Curtis Jackson forced into a smart save low to his right to deny Dene Gardiner, but Borough threatened little in attack until the closing stages when Jade McCrae almost put through his own net after Richard Ennin had delivered a low centre across the goalmouth.

The action picked up after the break with Broadfields having the better of the chances.

However, Enfield thought they had made the breakthrough in the last 10 minutes when Ennin cut the ball back from the by-line for debutant Mohab Madkour. The substitute’s shot was parried by Matthew Faley but the alert Tage Kennedy fired home the rebound, only for his celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.

After United had hit the side netting, Enfield had the final opportunity when Kennedy released Ennin, but he fired well over the crossbar.