This was the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, (twice in the FA Trophy and twice in the National League) and the third inside a month, so it was probably no surprise that these familiar foes cancelled each other out in a less than inspiring goalless draw at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

Bromley started the game brightly with Tyrone Sterling firing just wide from distance, but Gateshead went even close soon after when Lewis McNall’s flicked effort was turned round the post by David Gregory.

Adam Mekki had an effort saved by James Montgomery before the game lost momentum and went through a quiet spell. Around the half hour mark Heed began to press again and started to create some good chances, Jordan Burrow had a goal bound effort deflected over the bar by Ben Chorley and Burrow then set up Jordan Preston who fired narrowly wide.With the visitors on top Richard Peniket saw his shot blocked on the line by Sterling, before The Ravens battled back late on.

The second half saw Bromley press early on, but they failed to create any real chances and were dealt a blow when the lively Mekki limped off with a hamstring injury. As the half went on the game began to open up, Louis Dennis headed over for the home side, while at the other end Peniket saw his close range effort blocked bravely by Luke Woolfenden.

Neil Smith put a second striker on for the final twenty minutes in the hope of grabbing a winner for The Ravens, Brandon Hanlan had a shot blocked, Dennis hit the side netting after good work by Sterling and Omar Bugeil saw his header from the six yard box saved by Montgomery, the Lebanese striker connecting with a perfect Josh Rees cross from the right, but failing to direct it past the excellent keeper.

Late on Jordan Higgs, who had another good game in midfield, hit a low drive from the edge of the box, but Montgomery was able to get both hands to it at the foot of the post and the match ended scoreless.

The draw probably rules out any lingering chance of making the play offs for The Ravens, who still face a busy schedule of two games a week right up to the end of the season, with trips to Chester and Woking coming up over the next seven days.

Bromley: Gregory, Woolfenden, Sterling, Holland, Chorley, Mekki (Dennis 48), Raymond (Bugeil 68), Sutherland, Higgs, Porter (Rees 58), Hanlan.

Subs Not Used: Wanadio, D Johnson.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Vassell, Kerr, Byrne, Peniket (Greenwood 68), Burrow, McLaughlin, Green, McNall (Preston 15), Mellish (Fyfield 71), Fox.

Subs Not Used: Penn, Hanford.

Att: 1,035