EDGE Hill Saints fought hard as their finals hopes hang by a thread despite holding Marlin Coast to a 0-0 FNQ Football premier division soccer draw  yesterday.

The Saints were dogged in denying Marlin Coast victory but the draw may have been just enough to sustain their premiership hopes, leaving them six points behind fourth-placed Stratford.

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In a fiery encounter, Marlin Coast’s George Slefendorfas and Edge Hill’s John Dillon were both sent from the field for fighting after being involved in a sideline altercation featuring several players from both sides.

The incident, which occurred shortly before half-time, was the culmination of several physical exchanges throughout the first half.

Marlin Coast had plenty of chances to win the match, creating the greater number of opportunities, but being denied by wayward shooting and a sensational performance by Saints goalkeeper Sam Ferguson.

The Rangers’ best scoring chance came in the 66th minute when George Koroma drilled a shot from close range only to be denied by an excellent reflex save from Ferguson.

The Saints custodian was on hand again 17 minutes later when he stopped a well-struck Lamar Ahchee shot with an outstretched arm.

Despite the many Rangers chances, it was Edge Hill who almost secured the win in the dying stages when a Michael Ortiz shot was partially blocked by Mikel Breckenridge before being saved off the line by Rangers’ Calum Wood.

In Saturday night’s matches, Innisfail’s finals bid received another setback with a hard-fought 2-1 home loss to premiership frontrunners Mareeba and Stratford moved closer to securing a play-offs spot by belting Douglas 10-0.

Stratford now sits five points clear of Innisfail in fourth spot and can end the Cutters’ bid for a finals berth with a win or a draw when the teams meet at Stratford on Saturday night.

In the race for the premiership, Mareeba now enjoys a three-point lead over Marlin Coast with the Rangers on the bye this weekend.

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