A share of the spoils for title rivals Cookham Dean and Marlow United

Cookham Dean 1, Marlow United 1

There was little to choose between the sides as leaders Cookham Dean were held at home by title rivals Marlow United on Saturday.

United had fallen behind in each of their last four matches but drew first blood here, when Chris Hurst was left unmarked to head home Qwam Thomas’ cross.

Dean slowly worked their way into the contest and levelled midway through the half when Jack Alder weaved his way through the United backline to score. His first shot was parried by keeper Cannings but, quick as a flash, Alder pounced on the rebound to slot home.

United will have felt slightly aggrieved to have gone in level at the break after Ollie Flint’s well placed effort bounced off the post and away to safety.

Both teams defences continued to cancel each other out after the interval, but the best of the chances fell Dean’s way. Joe Newman laid the ball off for Nathan Lishman to volley the ball inches wide of the post.

United saw more of the ball in the second half but struggled to find a way past Nick Bovingdon in the Dean goal. Half chances for Flint and James Namyslak came and went, with both players firing wide, while Hurst had the ball in the net for a second time only for it to be disallowed for offside.

The visitors threw on Liam Bushay and Medford as they sought a win to close the gap to the leaders, but Bovingdon saved well from Bushay and kept out Flint’s late shot with his feet to deny them.

Dean currently lead the Premier Division on 36 points, four ahead of second placed Mortimer. Marlow United are currently fourth on 29 points but have three matches in hand on the leaders.

This Saturday Marlow United travel to second placed Mortimer, while Dean have the weekend off before they entertain Wrightchoice & Unity on February 2.