Frustrated manager Dave Challinor lamented missed chances as Stockport were held to a goalless draw by Salford.

After seeing their 12-match winning run ended by Newport at the weekend, the League Two leaders endured another frustrating outing.

Nick Powell spurned a glorious opportunity for an opener when he struck the woodwork from close range.

Paddy Madden, a hat-trick hero against Salford in the EFL Trophy last month, also wasted a gilt-edged chance when his header was saved by Alex Cairns.

The Ammies stopper was indebted to defender Theo Vassell, who crucially blocked a Fraser Horsfall strike on the goal-line.

Cairns himself was a late hero as he again denied Madden shortly after pawing a Kyle Wootton strike clear.

“That’s two points dropped without question,” said Hatters boss Challinor.

“I’m frustrated because we won’t get a better chance of beating a team in League Two this season.

“They’ve got some experience but those lads (Salford) have had to go with no changes at the weekend and go again with a couple young lads coming in.

“They’re depleted in terms of numbers and it was obvious from the outset what the game was going to look like.

“You have to score and we have to take one of those chances; we must be more clinical and ruthless because that’s what wins you games.

“The positive is that we don’t lose because it’s one of those games where you can be in control, become a bit desperate, and then concede on the break.

“So, we have to take our point and move on but that was a massive opportunity for us and one we’ve not taken.”

Meanwhile, a point for a makeshift Salford side marred by 11 absentees stopped a run of three successive defeats.

“It’s a massive step forward,” said Ammies boss Neil Wood. “The effort and work-rate from the lads restricted Stockport and we defended the box so much better.

“The challenge for us is to stay consistent and to keep repeating that because we can be our own downfall.

“We played with a lot of character and discipline and the young lads especially were outstanding.

“It’s a massive crowd and a hostile environment so when they get behind the players and they start putting you under pressure, you must defend the box really well.

“I thought as the game went on we quietened down the crowd and we had a couple of chances that we could have done better.

“But I’ll give the lads credit because we knew before the game it was going to be 11 players playing 100 minutes.

“We showed good character, a lot of bravery and a lot of balls to play like that.”