It was the Border outfit’s first clean sheet since its 2-0 victory against Box Hill on April 21.

Murray coach Elliot Jones said it was as impressed as he’ll ever be with a nil-all result.

“We would have taken that before the game coming up against Moreland City, who I think are in the top-three sides we’ve played,” Jones said.

“To keep them to nil-all on their home deck was really impressive.

“We were thrilled we were able to go out and execute a game plan for 90 minutes as well as we did.

“It’s one thing to talk about it and another to walk the walk for 90 minutes.

“In the end, with the chances that were created, we probably had the better of them, and, on other day, you’re unlucky not to come away with the win.

“But I’m not complaining after the run we’ve had.”

Jones admitted Moreland only had two clear shots on goal for the entire game.

“It’s the sort of performance that can really galvanise the group and give us a platform to kick-start the season again,” he said.

“It has to be (a turning point), it’s very tough when you’re having those results and the players feel it more so than anyone else.

“They’re a proud bunch and it wasn’t through lack of effort, we just couldn’t seem to get it going our way.

“Moreland are such a good side so we knew nothing but our best was going to keep us in it.

“We feel like that result was two or three weeks late.

“The Werribee game we were in it for 80 minutes and copped a sloppy goal and the Brunswick game we shot ourselves in the foot.

“Internally, we felt like we were building for this, but we just needed to make it a reality.”

Centre backs Halil Gur and Ryan Giles were Murray’s best.

“It gives you an indication of the pressure we were under at times,” Jones said.

“They were so solid and the leadership at the back really set us up for a strong performance.

“It’s really hard when you have such a strong performance to single people out.

“I don’t like to do it, but Gilesy and Halil were really good and Lewis Geeenwood was too.

“It felt like if we were going to get a goal, it was going to come from him.

“Zac Walker and Gonzalo Freddi are known for their attacking prowess, but it was more their defensive effort that was so impressive.

“It started from the front and it was a real team defence.”

Murray went into the contest undermanned with Alex West the only fresh substitute on the bench, while Alec Mills and Azia Feltrin backed up from the under 20s.

“We’ve had enough injuries to do us for a couple of years,” Jones added.

“It’s what we’re about at Murray, we don’t have a massive squad and players that can come in, so everybody has to put in a shift.”

Archie Thompson and Daniel Vasilevski should return against Altona Magic next weekend.

The ladder after round 18 is: Dandenong City 39, Moreland City 38, Springvale White Eagles 26, Goulburn Valley Suns 26, Langwarrin 24, Eastern Lions 23, Melbourne City 22, Murray United 17, Box Hill United 16*, Nunawading City 11*.

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