Crawley stretched their lead at the top of the Premier Division to four points despite being held to a goalless draw by lowly Hednesford.

Weymouth were beaten at home to Moor Green so Reds will go into this Saturday's crucial home game against Kettering clear of Tamworth who are now second.

Boss Billy Smith declared himself pleased with one point for his table-topping side following a "sub-standard game" in sticky conditions against opponents fighting for premier survival.

Weakened up front by the absence of Warren Bagnall (groin), his charges still looked the part early on with Rob Collins prominent, but clear chances were hard to come by against a resolute Pitmen defence prepared to soak up pressure and launch attacks on the break.

Smith conceded the conditions required Crawley to abandon their normal free flowing football and use a more direct approach.

They still held the edge, however, with the pace of Jay Lovett attacking from deep on the right and Danny Carroll providing quality on the opposite flank.

A spell of Crawley pressure culminated in the 21st minute with Collins beating his man on the left byline and squaring the ball low across a gaping goal with no one available to put the finishing touch.

Hednesford fought back and after Stuart Lake accepted a square pass from Phil Trainer, Andy Little was relieved to see Lake's 30-yard drive flash low past his right hand upright.

Damien Charie then carved out a chance for himself but the excellent Ben Judge, Smith's choice as his man-of-the- match, made a magnificent block tackle to clear the danger.

Carroll had the last word of the half with a pile driver which was charged down but after the interval it was the Pitmen who were the more positive.

Trainer, Neil Davis, and Charie all going close and Davis was particularly aggrieved at not being awarded a 68th- minute penalty for a trip.

The introduction of substitute Steve Restarick and Warren Waugh gave Crawley new impetus and Carroll carved out a chance for Lovett whose shot was blocked with some fortune by the Hednesford defence.

By now, however, both teams were happy to settle for a point a piece.