It was very much a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show for Rovers at Burroughs Park.

After scoring seven goals in their previous two games had lifted them to ninth place in the Ryman Division One North table, Wakering shared a drab goalless affair on a bone-hard pitch.

In the running - Wakering midfielder Dan Trenkel (left) gets away from his man Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Rovers, without first team men Mark Hampshire, Neville Hickton, Darren Twidell and Paul Pilkington, never troubled visiting goalkeeper Lee Carroll at all in the opening half.

Marlow were not much better, although home keeper Dave Hudson did have to dive bravely at the feet of Stuart Lake after 35 minutes.

The second-half did show some improvement -- it could hardly have got worse -- and skipper Danny Scopes should have done better than to shoot high over the bar after 53 minutes following a superb run and pass from Keith Wilson.

Former Leyton Orient defensive strongman Terry Howard twice went close with well-struck free-kicks.

Young reserve Mark Hambleton enjoyed a useful game on his first team call-up, but generally this was an afternoon to forget.

Published Monday, April 14, 2003

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