Dundalk dominate but have to settle for parity against Shelbourne

Bottom side Dundalk showed continued improvement after bossing the game against Shelbourne at Oriel Park only to be held to a scoreless draw by the top of the table side.

Having made a winning start seven days earlier, new boss Noel King saw his side produce another fine display that was only lacking a goal to secure what would have been a deserved three points.

However, with just six scored all season up until this point it eluded them.

Nevertheless it is five unbeaten at home for the Co Louth side, who also haven't conceded at Oriel Park in that time. They now face a crunch bottom of the table clash against Drogheda Utd on Monday where a win would lift them off the foot of the table.

With Shamrock Rovers and Derry City also drawing their respective games away to both Bohemians and Galway, Shelbourne remain at the top of the table but this was not a display that Damien Duff will be pleased with as his side were second best throughout.

Since beating Dundalk 2-1 in Tolka Park at the end of March they have now played six and won just one, with it taking them until the 88th minute to register a shot in this game.

Their wait for a first win at Oriel Park since 2012 continues, with this result the sixth draw in the last 10 league meetings between the sides.

Buoyed by their first win of the season against Bohemians a week earlier, the home side started on top with the first chance falling their way after less than three minutes when Archie Davies pulled back to Koen Oostenbrink in the box but the Dutchman got his angles all wrong and blazed high and wide.

The hosts would go close again two minutes later when another ball in from the right was touched on by Robbie Benson, with Jamie Gullan controlling before turning to get a shot away