BOSS Rae Hughes lauded his threadbare Downton charges for holding promotion-contenders Baffins Milton Rovers to a goalless draw in Sydenhams Division One.
Missing a number of key players, the Robins gave a strong showing against a side looking certain for promotion to the Premier Division.
Shaun Prentice came close to scoring before Ross Bentall, fresh from notching a double last weekend, was forced off with an arm injury.
The Robins continued to press and hurry their opponents, limiting them to a few long-range efforts.
And the visitors should have snatched all three points when Tom Aldridge was unable to convert from close-range.
"So proud of my players, we missed the usual spine of the team but every single player was fantastic and stepped up to the mark against a top team," Hughes told JournalSport.
"It just shows the quality of the squad we are slowly building at the club.
The average age out there today was 21. Tough game again next week as we entertain Hamble, who have just secured promotion."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here