Dereham had to settle for a point following a frustrating afternoon at Aldiss Park.

Cheshunt began confidently with, Allen Bossman having two opportunities which he wasted in the opening 10 minutes.

Danny Beaumont had Dereham's first attempt in the 16th minute with a 20-yarder which sailed past the left post.

Play remained competitive but broken, with neither keeper troubled. In the 22nd minute Chesthunt striker Omer Riza strode forward before blazing well wide of Andy Wilton's goal.

As the deadlock continued Beaumont found Sam Borrer inside the visitors' box; he played a neat one-two with Kyle Downes before having a close-range shot charged down.

As the half ended Borrer glanced a header into keeper Will Viner's arms from a Beaumont centre.

Dereham emerged from their dressing room with more urgency and Craig Bussens fired over from an acute angle.

Beaumont delivered a dangerous low ball across the Chesthunt box which Payne did well to intercept. As the home pressure continued Viner stooped low to keep out a drive from Aaron Kay.

Cheshunt launched a quick break in the 80th minute with Wilton producing a superb double save to deny Will Holmes from 20 yards and then Riza as he looked to net the rebound.

In added time Luke Tuttle looped an 18-yard shot over Viner's crossbar.

'The result was a fair reflection with neither side creating enough clear-cut chances to win the match,' was Magpies boss Matty Henman's assessment of the game.