Fourth-placed Finch would have been hoping for more against a side sitting two places below them in the Hellenic League Division One East table, but both sides were left to rue missed chances which might have secured a victory.

The visitors started off strongly and spent the opening five minutes pinning the Finch defenders towards their own goal.

However Jon Laugharne and Graham Pickersgill’s men then broke free against the run of play as Harry Swabey skillfully collected an aerial ball and unleashed a fine shot from distance which beat the keeper but cannoned into the crossbar.

Headington continued to prove stubborn opponents, though, and both Luke Cuff and Tom Payne moved in on Tom Bryant’s goal, but neither was able to make their opportunity count.

The impressive Swabey was then back in the action at the other end, winning the ball in the corner and crossing before Nick Payne hammered the ball over the Amateurs’ net.

Benji Cuff was forced to head clear from a Finch corner shortly after, but in an entertaining and end-to-end clash, the visitors returned to the far end and Matt Wright and Ben Winship had to be on their mettle to avert any danger.

Swabey forced a corner at the other end as goalkeeper Harry Jenkins pushed the ball out of play.

Finch took the set piece quickly and following a series of short, intricate passes, the ball threaded its way across the penalty area to skipper, Adam Barnard, whose shot curled the wrong way and missed the bottom corner of Jenkins’ goal.

The last notable event of the first half was the irrepresible Swabey giving chase once again which allowed Greg Alexander a chance that was saved.

Finch conceded a free-kick early in the second half though it did not amount to much, but Nick Payne - who was enjoying a battle in midfield - began to get on top for his side.

However, with no breakthrough in sight, the hosts made a double change with Ryan Tye and Chris Dean replacing Richard Kell and James Wright.

The fresh legs injected some added urgency for Finch but Headington stayed competitive and gained a corner, but Drew Fowler sent the ball over Bryant’s crossbar when given a chance. With time running out Dean managed to find space to shoot but missed and the game ended with neither side able to hit the back of the net.

Finchampstead will look to bounce back to winning ways at home to Woodley Town this Saturday.

Elsewhere in Hellenic Premier Division, the much-anticipated derby between Bracknell Town and Ascot United was postponed on Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch.

Groundstaff at Larges Lane did their best to get the game on, but eventually had to call the game off after heavy rain on Friday night and Saturday morning.

The Robins remain eighth in the Hellenic League Premier Division but face a stern test when they visit high-flying Thame United this coming Saturday (3pm ko). The hosts sit third in the table, having won 11 games in a row.

Ascot are due to welcome relegation-haunted Brimscombe & Thrupp to the Racecourse Ground (3pm ko).

The weather also proved the winner at Hill Farm Lane where Binfield’s scheduled clash with Holyport was postponed.

Roger Herridge’s men visit Shrivenham in the third round of the Flying Press Floodlit Cup this evening (7.45pm ko), but do not have a game this weekend.

The Moles have announced that the derby with Bracknell Town, which was called off last Monday, will now be played on Monday, March 9.

Wokingham & Emmbrook’s first game at their temporary new home at Henley Town also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.

The Sumas were due to host their landlords at The Triangle, but heavy rain meant the Hellenic League Division One game could not go ahead.

Wokingham will look to move in to the quarter finals of the BBFA Intermediate Cup when they visit Wantage Town Reserves tomorrow (7.30pm ko), before they travel to Rayners Lane on Saturday (3pm ko).

Rain also ruled the day in the Combined Counties League Division One, with both Sandhurst Town and Eversley & California unable to get on to the pitch.

The rock bottom Fizzers were hoping to continue their recent improved form at Chessington & Hook, but the game was postponed in the morning, while The Boars’ visit to Staines Llamas was also called off.

Sandhurst are due to welcome fellow strugglers Sheerwater to Bottom Meadow on Saturday (3pm ko), and Eversley will be looking to consolidate their mid-table position when lowly Epsom Athletic visit the ESA sports ground.