Basement-dwellers Dundalk hold Derry

PROGRESS: Dundalk manager Jon Daly after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and Derry City at Oriel Park. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Premier Division: Dundalk 0-0 Derry City

Derry City missed out on a chance to close the gap on league leaders Shelbourne to three after being held to a scoreless draw by bottom-of-the-table Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side had won the last three matches against their Co Louth rivals but could find no breakthrough here as they have now taken just two points from the last nine on offer.

There was more of a silver lining for new Dundalk boss Jon Daly, who saw his side set a new club record of seven consecutive clean sheets at home.

Having not conceded in their previous six home matches, the Lilywhites almost coughed up a goal inside the opening 80 seconds when slack play at the back saw Paul McMullan slip Adam O’Reilly in on the right only for the former St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder to be denied by a strong right arm from Ross Munro.

Dundalk then should have been ahead on the half-hour mark when Cameron Elliott broke on the right before pulling back to his fellow Scot Jamie Gullan, but the striker’s effort into the ground bounced up and over with just Brian Maher to beat.

The Louth men threatened again on 35 minutes with a brilliant break that was initiated by Paul Doyle, who released Daryl Horgan on the right. 

His cross picked out Elliott at the back post but the Scotsman’s header was tipped over at full stretch by Maher.

Hoban’s one big chance came before the break when he headed into the side-netting and it was Dundalk who went closest to scoring in the second half when Gullan’s piledriver 15 minutes from the end was brilliantly touched over by Maher.

Ryan O’Kane also went close for the home side with Ronan Boyce having an effort deflect wide off Andy Boyle late on as the sides had to settle for a point apiece.

Dundalk: Munro; Davies, Johnson, Boyle, Bradshaw; Horgan, Muller, Doyle, Durrant (O’Kane 58); Elliott (Kenny 78), Gullan.

Derry City: Maher; Dummigan (Boyce 78), Connolly, S McEleney, Coll (Doherty 78); Diallo (Kelly 78), O’Reilly; McMullan (P McEleney 78), Patching, Duffy (Mullen 86); Hoban.

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin).