Brantham boss Pip Boyland will this week look to bring in the final piece of the jigsaw as he aims to pick up that all-elusive first win in 16 attempts.

The Imps have not won in the league or cup since 1 October but Boyland is confident that will command he aims to sign a couple of new players in time for their trip to Newmarket on Saturday.

Despite the frustration Boyland insisted there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.

Harrison Bacon determined

"There were improvements and I'm happy," said Boyland who has been in charge since January last year. "We are in position where we have wanted to be for a long time.

"It is another clean sheet so we are not conceding like we used to. We kept it tight and working harder. The players are taking responsibility and are listening, so the pro progression is there.

"All that is missing is goals, but that will come."

Despite enjoying long periods of dominance, Brantham failed to do he most basic of things in football - stick the ball in the net.

Jimmy Lee, Harrison Bacon, Jordan Elongo and Tom Lawton all threatened but could not find that killer finish.

Jordan Elongo and Tom Lawton (Picture: Ian Evans)

Matty Walker in the Brantham goal made a couple of decent saves, with arms and legs, but was not particularly overworked as the Imps defended from the front and kept their shape well.

Boyland refused to be down-hearted and believes progress is being made.

"All we can ask is the players work hard and they are doing that," he said.

"They are training well, the discipline is there, we worked on our shape and it is showing.

"The negative attitude had to go and the sulking is going. Of course if you lose people sulk, but you then have to be bigger than that and work harder and get a more positive attitude, and it is working.

"I'm confident something will come sooner or later because you can only go so long without scoring goals."

Goals will come (Picture: Ian Evans)

Connor Hills came on to make his debut in the second half as Bacon limped off with twisted knee injury, and Boyland is continuing to build, while looking to see speedster Jose Santa De La Cru return from injury within the fortnight..

He said: "We have a young squad that want to learn and develop. We are hard to break down, tough to beat and the is there.

"We dealt with about 15 long throws, and they have some big boys in there so we coped.

"We have a big squad and we have a couple of lads going in to keep putting pressure on.

"Jose gives us something but we don't want to be relying on one player, or one outlet.

"You ca see that When the subs come on they are making an impact.

"It is not just about the starting 11, we had 18 at training which is what I want to see. When you are in the position we are people could just sack it off, but they coming in and working hard, listening and progressing.

"It makes it hard for me come Saturday because I have to worry about 'who do I leave out?' But that is what I want. Options, having people with the right attitude and being here for the right reasons, and showing up."

It could help that Brantham's last win was 3-1 against Newmarket Town back at the beginning of October, and the Imps take on the Jockeymen away on Saturday (4 February).

Skipper James Lee scored against Newmarket in Imps' last victory back in October