A third home draw in a month against a former Football League side has opened up a four point gap above the National Leagye drop zone for Boreham Wood after they drew 0-0 at home to Tranmere Rovers.

The difficult wind blowing across the pitch contributed to the lack of goalmouth action, with neither side managing to combat the conditions to eke out a positive result.

Luke Garrard opted for the same starting XI that had performed so well in the midweek draw against Lincoln City with Rovers boss Gary Brabin giving loan signing Lee Vaughan his debut on the right wing in place of Adam Mekki. Ben Tomlinson replaced Andy Mangan up front in a 4-3-3 formation.

The first half was a disjointed affair with neither side managing to really trouble the opposing keeper. Possession was won and lost in the middle of the field in quick succession, with Wood wasteful from a string of corners conceded by Rovers.

After 21 minutes a Vaughan cross was only half cleared by Joe Devera and ran for Tomlinson, but his reaction shot ran wide of the target.

Mekki was then introduced after Jay Harris succumbed to injury before Lois Maynard went close with an opportunistic effort.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought the ball under control inside the area before lobbing a pass forward for former FC Halifax Town midfielder Maynard, whose audacious back-heel sent James Russell scampering goalwards to acrobatically prevent it dropping under the crossbar.

Rovers defender Liam Hogan joined Harris on the physio's table just before the interval, replaced by Ritchie Sutton, before Wood went close.

Clovis Kamdjo won the ball in the midfield spraying it wide for Anthony Jeffrey. His cross from the left was met by the imperious Steve McNulty but his clearance was poor on this occasion, falling for Mauro Vilhete who saw his effort squirm past the post.

The game improved as a spectacle after the interval, but not before Rovers were forced into their final change, with Taylor-Fletcher making way for Mangan.

After the break Vilhete awoke from his first half slumber and embarked upon a fine jinking run. The ball was worked to the left allowing Callum Reynolds a cross that was met by Luke Howell, who headed just wide.

The game was beginning to open up with James Norwood stopped in his tracks by Kamdjo who found Jeffrey for a lovely one-two with Charlie MacDonald only to run the ball just out of play; Howell netting the resultant cross after the referee’s whistle had sounded.

MacDonald then caused panic in the Rovers defence, his chasing down forcing keeper Scott Davies to concede a corner. Conor Clifford delivered from the right, finding Kamdjo whose stooping header ran wide of the target.

Mangan sent a free kick straight into the Wood wall late on before Norwood found himself in space on the left, only to skew his effort across goal and wide of the target as the game entered its critical stage.

With three minutes of normal time remaining Wood survived a scare. Norwood got beyond David Stephens and, with Scott Doe losing his footing, the goal opened up for the former Forest Green Rovers striker but his shot was straight at Russell.

In the final minute of normal time Maynard was allowed to bring the ball under control before feeding the unmarked Mangan on the left. But his shot was hit just wide with Russell taking no chances.

Deep into stoppage time Rovers conceded a free kick and Conor Clifford hit a rasping 35 yard effort that flew inches high, the last chance either set of fans had to celebrate a goal.

Wood boss Garrard said afterwards: “I will take that as a point gained. Having seen how Tranmere Rovers bossed the game at Woking in midweek for the first half hour, only to lose 4-1, I knew that result would not do us any favours.

“At Woking they left space in front of their back three and went all out to score. That result dictated that they would keep it tighter today and that made it difficult for us. We struggled to find space and in truth I still do not know how good their goalkeeper is.

“That said four points against Tranmere Rovers is a fine return and we now need to look at the pack above us and start chasing them down.

“Aside from the Northwich Victoria performance these players have given me their all since I took over and, whilst the lack of goals is a concern we are aware of, I cannot fault their commitment.”

Boreham Wood: Russell; Devera, Stephens, Doe, Reynolds; Vilhete (Shakes 82), Kamdjo, C.Clifford, Howell (B.Clifford 85), Jeffrey; MacDonald (Morias 77).

Subs: Woodards, Cox.