WALTHAM Abbey secured a morale-boosting goalless draw at Sutton United in their Ryman Premier Division encounter.

The point takes the Abbotts up to 14 points, and they sit third-from-bottom, although they have played up to two games more than their closest rivals.

Elsewhere, Waltham Forest also played out a 0-0 draw with local side Ilford.

Curiously, the away fixture will have felt more like a home game for the Stags as they groundshare with Ilford at their Cricklefield home.

In other news, Forest's Gbenga Sonuga will have to undergo surgery after breaking his leg against Hornchurch in the Essex Senior Cup last week.

The game was abandoned following the injury, and will have to be replayed.

Sonuga is also set to have work done on his ankle ligaments and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Leyton slumped to a demoralising 3-0 home defeat to division strugglers Romford.

The result represents a step back for the Lilywhites after Craig Edwards' side had overcome high-fliers Concord Rangers last week.