Boreham Wood picked up a goalless draw at Woking in the National League to move up to 19th

Wood are up to 19th for only the second time in the last 20 matches – leaving them two points clear of the relegation zone.

Reflecting on the draw, boss Luke Garrard said: “Both sides could have won or lost it. We looked fit and after rebuilding our back four because of injuries, I cannot fault their performances over the last two games.

“It will give me a nice headache as the full squad returns to fitness.”

The heartbeat that went missing for large parts of the early season is now back and pumping for Wood.

Ricky Shakes, Sam Cox and Ben Nunn have regained their starting places whilst Callum Reynolds slotted back into his more favoured central defensive role.

It was no surprise Garrard named an unchanged side from the one which two days earlier against Braintree Town.

Woking had won five of their last six and Bruno Andrade's early shot saw James Russell well placed to save.

Dan Woodards headed over for Wood before Andrade played a fine pass for Joe Quigley who found himself through on goal, only to shoot straight at Russell.

It was then the turn of Wood to threaten. A cross from the right by Cox was knocked down by Luke Howell into the path of Mustafa Tiryaki whose powerful volley was met by a fine reflex save from Jake Cole.

Wood were excellent at maintaining possession all afternoon which placated the free flowing football style favoured by the Cards.

Dan Holman had a chance for the hosts when he was fed by Cameron Norman. Holman cleverly made space to get a fine shot away with minimum back lift that was inches high of the target.

Holman went close again after 40 minutes, volleying just wide after Quigley had provided a knock down.

He then netted from an offside position from an Andrade free kick as the first half ended goalless.

Anthony Jeffrey showed a relentless work rate all afternoon for Wood as he was again selected in a central role.

His pace and skill on the ball forced the Woking side to remain fully focused in defence. He had a hand in every Wood attack, yet the Cards’ rear-guard proved a tough nut to crack.

A superb challenge from Reynolds on Holman prevented a certain goal after 65 minutes before Wood executed a quick counterattack thanks to the endeavour of Cox who chased down a ball to allow Jeffrey a shot that was too high to impact upon the result.

Hill rang the changes, introducing Guiseppe Sole who had scored three times in as many games against Wood.

He had one golden opportunity but not before Tiryaki had sent Cole scrambling back towards his goal to tip over what was intentionally a cross.

Sole got on the end of Jake Caprice's cross from the right, heading back across Russell's goal whose save low to his left was exemplary.

Russell dominated his area during a late onslaught from the home side, leaving both managers happy on the day.

Garrard said: “It was a very positive performance in which the pace of Anthony Jeffrey forced Woking time and time again to retreat back towards their own goal.

“Both James Russell and one tackle in particular from Callum Reynolds kept us in it.

“We lost Mauro Vilhete early on and Luke Howell was asked to fill an unusual role for him as a wide player and he was thoroughly professional in his application.

“Woking are a very much in form side and our game management was superb today. We did not let them have it all their own way, we served to frustrate and I am extremely pleased with how the entire team went about their business.”

He added: “We have a January transfer coming up, something that we have not encountered before.

“We will be looking to be active and selective in managing that opportunity to hopefully complement our solid defensive work with some much needed goals.”

Boreham Wood: Russell; Nunn, Doe, Reynolds, Woodards, Shakes, Cox, C.Clifford, Vilhete (Howell 19); Tiryaki, Jeffrey.

Subs not used: Edwards (GK), MacDonald, Morias, B.Clifford.