Farnborough completed their pre-season programme with a somewhat subdued performance in a 0-0 draw at Gosport Borough on Saturday.

As so often is the case in a team’s final pre-season outing, the players were more focused on avoiding injury ahead of the start of the league campaign than winning the game, and although they played some nice football, in the final third Boro lacked a cutting edge.

For their part, Gosport were in no mood to go easy on their visitors, and they made a number of crunching challenges that infuriated Boro boss Francis Vines, although his displeasure was centred on the referee’s failure to clamp down on the tackles rather than the home side’s over-eager players.

After the game Vines was highly critical of the referee’s display, and was relieved that his team came through the game largely unscathed.

“In the first half one player has jumped in with a rubbish tackle and then got up and tried to do it again,” he said. “If the referee stops that right there and then it doesn’t carry on during the game, but he let them get away with it.

“If that’s what we have to expect this year, and the referees are like this, then we have got some fun to look forward to that’s for sure.

“Darren Wheeler has got a bruise on his calf the side of an apple, although that didn’t come from a bad tackle, but he is fortunately the only one who has picked up a knock.”

He added: “But if you are going to get away with these things in a game, then my players need to learn to give some back as well. We have to be able to take that aggressive approach and hand it out too.

“In some ways this is a good game to have had before the season and it will prepare us for some of the games ahead. In games like these then perhaps some players will have to miss out.”

Steve Laidler and Marcus Richardson both missed the game, but Nick Burton did return in defence. Harkness got the nod up front ahead of Charles, with Rob Saunders and Connor Hamilton starting the game in central midfield.

Chances were few and far between for Boro in the first half, despite controlling the midfield for long periods, but it was Gosport who threatened Lyall Beazley’s goal, forcing the young goalkeeper to make a good save when he tipped Josh Thomas’ header over the bar.

Tempers flared when Tommy McCormick had two bites at Saunders, eventually bringing him down with a crude challenge. Vines and his assistant Steve Richardson were warned by the referee for their furious protests, but Saunders at least escaped unharmed.

Gosport striker Justin Bennett threatened when his low shot was saved, and at the other end Saunders’ deflected strike from distance was just turned round the post. From the resulting Nic Ciardini corner the ball appeared to strike a Gosport hand in the area, but the referee was unmoved in the face of Boro’s claims for a penalty.

Vines rang the changes at half time, bringing on six substitutes to field a second half side that is likely to start the game against Rugby. Leigh Rumbold and Ryan Scott took charge of central midfield while Adam Doyle and Dave Woozley came on at the back. Michael Charles entered the fray for Harkness and Wheeler came on down the right.

Boro dominated possession for much of the second half, but a series of crosses from Wheeler went unconverted. It was Gosport’s Thomas who came closest to giving Boro the lead, deflecting the flying winger’s cross goalwards, forcing his keeper Mark Brown into a smart stop.

Boro then briefly lost their focus, and after 74 minutes Beazley was caught in possession, with Doyle clearing as the ball drifted towards goal. Moments later Rumbold lost the ball on the edge of the area, and James Ford rounded Beazley only to blaze over the bar.

Boro quickly regained their composure and almost stole a win when Scott’s hopeful clearance caught out the home side’s backline. Gamble nipped in, but could only slip his shot wide in a moment that summed up Boro’s afternoon.

Vines’ men now have a week to prepare for the visit of Rugby Town on Saturday, when they will look to kick off their league campaign with win in front of their home fans.

For more from Vines about Saturday's draw pick up a copy of Tuesday's Mail, and for a full preview of the upcoming league campaign, pick up a copy of Friday’s News.

Boro: Beazley, Ray, Oliver, Evans (Woozley 45), Burton (Doyle 45), Barima (Wheeler 45, (Hamilton 89), Ciardini, Saunders (Scott 45), Hamilton (Rumbold 45), Gamble, Harkness (Charles 45).