TEN-MAN Maldon and Tiptree battled to gain a share of the spoils at Romford.

The visitors held on to a Ryman League division one north 0-0 draw after Tommy Spillane was sent off late in the first half.

Maldon and Tiptree's started much the stronger with two quick attacks having to be dealt with by the home defence before Romford's David Ottley broke free to send in a low 25 metre drive that visiting keeper Dylan Skinner turned round the post.

The home side then thought they had taken the lead when Ryan Imbert headed in Abs Seymour’s free-kick but it was disallowed for a foul.

Leon McKenzie then went close for twice for Maldon but his efforts went wide.

Two Jack Stevenson free-kicks then caused problems for the home defence with the first headed wide by Paul Shave before McKenzie headed the second just over the bar.

But on 40 minutes Maldon's Spillane was given a straight red card for a foul just on the edge of the penalty area.

Romford put the pressure on the visitors at the start of the second half hoping to make their numerical advantage count.

However, Maldon’s defence held out and secured a point for the visitors.

Heybridge' Swifts match against visiting Brentwood Town was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.