The Bloaters travelled to Suffolk with a depleted squad, but managed a goalless draw with Haverhill on Saturday.

Yarmouth were without Taylor, Crux, Holmes, Perfect, Bailey, Swatman and long-term absentees Hall, Rose and Jordan Forbes. And they suffered a further blow when influential centre-back Ager was unable to participate in the warm-up and Charlie Bartram pulled up injured before the start.

The home side were in a poor run of form, with only one victory in 2017, but Andersen had to be alert to head clear.

The Bloaters’ first chance fell to Davis in the 12 minute after some good work by McAra, but the shot missed the target.

The home side were awarded a hotly-contested free-kick and as Whatmough came to smother under a challenge the ball spilled out to Milne who managed to miss from close range. Whatmough didn’t get up immediately and suffered an injured hand but with no substitute goalkeeper he was forced to continue.

With the half-time break looming Sam Applegate hit a volley wide and Deeks was unfortunate after Andersen’s free-kick found the defender in space. After the break the Bloaters enjoyed the benefits of the wind and Applegate tested Turner with a cheeky lofted shot that narrowly cleared the bar. Applegate turned provider next as he floated in a dangerous corner and Deeks’ goalbound header was cleared away after a goalmouth scramble.

The breeze was clearly to the visitors’ liking as they dominated most of the possession after the break forcing several corners.

The Bloaters continued to dominate with Davis and Applegate prominent but the home defence worked hard to keep the visitors at bay and whilst enjoying lots of possession the Bloaters did not create too many clear cut chances.

Next match for the Bloaters is an attractive-looking fixture against second-placed and one of the in-form teams in the Premier Division, title challenging Felixstowe at the Wellesley.

Bloaters: Whatmough, Deeks, Applegate, Savage, Howell, Andersen, McAra, Davis, Forbes, George, Hunter. Subs Catchpole, Ager, Bartram.

The reserves had a 3-1 win over Harleston Reserves with goals from Toby Gorbould, Regan Harman and Matty Wallis.