It was the biggest test Vics' defence has faced so far this season and they passed with flying colours.

John Robertson imparticular was on top form, giving his best display in a Green shirt.

Kettering opened brightly looking for their fourth consecutive win and almost took an early lead when a Brett McNamara shot shaved the post from a Carl Adams cross.

Kettering continued to press but faced stout resistance, with the Greens defence restricting the home side to long range efforts.

At the other end, Vics' best efforts were similarly thwarted. It made for an uninspiring spectacle.

After the restart Kettering again made the early running.

But only a teasing right wing cross from Phil Brown put Greygoose under any pressure.

The experienced keeper managed to claw the ball away to safety with McNamara ready to pounce.

Vics responded positively.

Tait dribbled into the box to win a corner which resulted in Wilson punching the ball to the feet of Stuart Terry, whose shot was deflected agonisingly wide of the upright.

It signalled the start of Vics best spell of the game.

And when a quickly taken Steve Walters free kick found Neil Illman unmarked in the box the pint-sized striker looked ideally placed to score his second goal of the season. But his shot was straight at the keeper.

Illman, clearly out of sorts, was replaced minutes later by Carwyn Williams.

As the game drew to a close both sides continued to cancel each other out.

The only clear chance as the minutes ticked away fell to Kettering, but Vics' John Robertson was on hand to cap a man of the match performance with a vital headed clearance.

It was a thoroughly professional performance from Vics, who had clearly earned their point against a team that had scored nine goals in its previous three games.

Kettering: Wilson, Matthews (Hudson 57), Adams, Cox, Vowden, Norman, Hone, Brown, Mason (Ridgeway 57), McNamara, Fisher; Sub not used: Hayes.

Vics: Greygoose 7; Bates 7, Birch 8, Robertson 9, Simspon 7, Duffy 7; Owen 6, Terry 6, Walters 6; Illman 6 (Williams 68, 6), Tait 6; Subs not used: Ward, Filson.

Bookings: Robertson, Bates, Brown, Hudson; Att: 1,763; Ref: T P Howes (Norwich); MoM: John Robertson

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.