Bohs and Shels play out stalemate at Dalymount Park

Bohemians' stuttering league form continued as Shelbourne held them to a scoreless draw during a drab Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.

Collecting just nine points from their last eight games, the Gypsies look increasingly vulnerable having slipped from early league leaders down to third place.

No doubt Damien Duff will be the happier of the two managers tonight. His side haven’t won here in a decade, and never looked like doing so, yet they defended admirably to snatch a point on the road.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Bohemians played the better football on the night, but couldn't break down the resolute Reds, who boast the league's best defensive record this season.

Sun-soaked and entirely sold out, Dalymount looked like the perfect setting for the best of summer football. However, the conditions proved irrelevant as both sides struggled to spark this game into life.

Playing wing-backs in an orthodox 3-5-2, Shelbourne arrived with intent. Often accused of negative play, they did try to pass quickly across their back line and into midfield. What happened past midfield was the recurring problem.

Brothers Tyreke and John-Ross Wilson provided wide outlets, but the ball just couldn’t stick with Jack Moylan and Matty Smith up front.

Duff roared in frustration, but his side’s attacking demise was as much to do with Bohs’ effective man-marking than sloppiness on Shelbourne’s part.

While tacticians watched with interest, this game didn’t exactly roar to life. That is putting it mildly.

Bohemians’ Declan McDaid struck an early effort wide, while Kris Twardek was denied inside the box on the half-hour mark.

The Gypsies looked closer to scoring, but Ali Coote could only rattle the crossbar when he struck a powerful free-kick just before the break.

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