Josh Hancock fends off a Halesowen player

Nantwich Town confirmed their Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off place after a 0-0 draw away at Halesowen Town.

It ends an 8-year absence from the play-offs, and sets up a chance to gain promotion to the Conference North.

The Dabbers join Spennymoor Town, Stourbridge and Workington in the play-offs.

Nantwich dominated against lowly Halesowen but were thwarted by defending and miraculous keeping from home stopper Daniel Platt.

Curtis Jones had a close range shot saved by Platt and then saw a header from a corner saved.

In the second half, the chances continued to come, with Joel Stair, Steve Jones, Josh Hancock, Tom Peers and Andy White all having openings which could have easily resulted in the opening goal.

Nantwich started the brighter of the two teams, and Osebi Abadaki had the first sighter two minutes but could only drag a shot wide from distance.

Hancock then tried his luck from range but Platt watched it bounce wide.

Osebi Abadaki on the ball

Dabbers keeper Burzynski, despite being a spectator early on, was alert to tip over a looping free kick on 13 minutes.

Sam Hall and Abadaki both had further long range efforts which both went over.

Cameron Milne had the home side’s first sight of goal.

He picked up a loose ball and fired a weak shot which was comfortable for Burzynski.

Nantwich’s best effort of the first half came when a free kick into the box found Curtis Jones at the back post.

From a tight angle, Platt blocked his effort for a corner.

The Dabbers didn’t let up after the break as they searched for the opener.

Andy White curled over the bar and Steve Jones beat his man on the right, found Ryan Brooke, whose close range effort was blocked.

Steve Jones on the ball

The hosts manage occasional attacks, with a cross from the right eluding target man Mo Diop in the box.

At the other end, Touray whipped a free kick just over the bar.

Nantwich boss Phil Parkinson made two subs, with Vinny Mukendi and Joe Mwasile coming on for Brooke and Abadaki.

The pressure was relentless on the Halesowen goal as the half progressed.

Steve Jones forced a smart save from Platt after getting some space in the box.

Mwasile then got down the left and pulled the ball back for Hancock, who couldn’t quite bundle in.

With time running out, Parkinson made his final sub with Tom Peers coming on for Steve Jones.

The best chances of the game arrived in stoppage time.

First White showed great footwork to create space on the right of the box.

Curtis Jones header is saved by Halesowen keeper Daniel Platt

His cross was somehow cleared off the line and the rebound fell to Peers, who fired into the ground and over.

Hancock then cut inside after good skill and shot straight at Platt.

The final chance came when White again came close.

He picked up the ball and looked to have won the game, but Platt tipped the ball over the bar.

Now Nantwich will finish the regular season on Saturday away at Stourbridge.

Nantwich Town: Krystian Burzynski, Andy White, Ibou Touray, Curtis Jones, Joel Stair, Sam Hall(c), Steve Jones (Tom Peers, 84), Matt Bell, Ryan Brooke (Vinny Mukendi, 64), Josh Hancock, Osebi Abadaki (Joe Mwasile, 67). Unused subs: Wayne Riley, Ben Harrison

(pics by Jonathan White)

Andy White on the ball
Dabbers shot is over the bar
Manager Phil Parkinson thanks the away fans for travelling to Halesowen

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