Oxford City extended their unbeaten run to four matches in Blue Square Bet North as they dented the visitors’ play-off ambitions with a determined display in a goalless draw at Marsh Lane on Saturday.

It boosted City’s hopes of a top-ten finish.

Heavy overnight rain on Friday looked to have put the game in doubt and a saturated surface made flowing football difficult.

The visitors started well, with City keeper Nick Townsend denying the dangerous Chib Chilaka from close range.

At the other end, winger Nick Stanley saw his well-struck effort fly over the bar.

Townsend then kept out a fierce shot from Lee Elam.

After the break, City had the visitors on the back foot with a Stanley corner cleared with difficulty by the Harrogate defence.

City skipper Andy Ballard, who played upfront alongside Steve Basham in attack, had a pot at goal, but Harrogate’s Alan White made a super block.

Midfielder Darren Pond had a great chance to break the deadlock, while Mark Bell put in a long range shot that skidded wide of the target as the rain lashed down. Substitute Darren Forrest had a couple of chances late in the game for Harrogate, but were off target as City held on for a draw as they edged ever nearer the 50-point mark.

Oxford City: Townsend, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Malone, Learoyd, Willmott, Pond, McNish (Bell 63), Ballard (Barcelos 55), Basham (Joyce 83), Stanley. Sub not used: Gunn.

Referee: C Hicks. Attendance: 263.