— The pregame lightning storm, then the pyrotechnics that illuminated the Cary night sky following Saturday night’s match between the Carolina RailHawks and Jacksonville Armada at WakeMed Soccer Park were the only literal or metaphorical fireworks RailHawks supporters have witnessed for a NASL game in quite a while..

Despite no wins in their last four league games, a victory tonight against Jacksonville, in concert with other results around the league that fell the RailHawks’ way during this penultimate weekend in the NASL spring season, gave Carolina the opportunity to leapfrog into second position in the NASL table and win the spring season championship next weekend at Indy Eleven. All the RailHawks needed were three points against Jacksonville, the current last-place team in the league.

But Carolina couldn't find a single goal to accomplish that feat, drawing 0-0 with the Armada, eliminating the RailHawks from contention for the NASL spring season title. It’s the third consecutive league home match the RailHawks have hosted the then last-place team in the NASL, with no wins to show for it.

After an 87-minute weather delay, the RailHawks and Armada played a fast-paced but ultimately goalless first half. Carolina held the majority of possession and all the shots in the area (although none on frame). But it took four first-half saves by RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to keep the match nil-nil at intermission.

Carolina ran out with continued immediacy for the second stanza. But despite copious chances throughout the box, the RailHawks’ attempts flew wide and/or high all evening.

Billy Schuler had an open attempt from close range in the 55th minute, but his left-footer flew wide. In the 89th minute, a pinpoint cross from second-half substitute Jonathan Orlando found Austin da Luz, but his meek right-footed shot was smothered by Armada keeper Miguel Gallardo. A minute later, da Luz found another open shot in the area, this time with his dominant left boot, but this attempt cleared the crossbar.

Carolina’s attackers failed to take advantage of solid defending from their back line, particularly center back Connor Tobin. The RailHawks attempted 16 shots for the match, but only two were on target. Beyond their current five-match winless skid, the RailHawks haven’t scored a goal in their last three NASL games and only one in their last five.

“We’re bitterly disappointed that we didn’t get the result,” said RailHawks manager Colin Clarke.”Too many times we showed a lack of composure in front of goal. Just lashed at [the ball] without any thought process … Consequently, their keeper didn’t have to make enough saves.

“You gotta hit the target.”

The RailHawks (4-2-3, 14 pts.) close their NASL spring season at Indy Eleven next Saturday. Carolina then returns to Cary on June 15 to host the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

BOX SCORE

LINEUPS

CAR: Fitzgerald, Tobin, Mensing, Black, Beckie, Watson (Perez, 66’), Shipalane (Orlando, 73’), Albadawi, da Luz, Schuler (Hassan, 85’), Shriver

JAX: Gallardo, Ruthven, Navarro, Burke, Nicklaw, Otte, George, Keita (Gebhard, 73’), Johnson (Dixon, 73’), Sandoval, Barrow (Eloundu, 83’)

GOALS

CAR: ---

JAX: ---

CAUTIONS

CAR: ---

JAX: Keita, 61’

EJECTIONS

CAR: ---

JAX: ---

ATTENDANCE: 5,786