Derry City 0-0 Galway United

Derry City appear to have lost their scoring touch. The Foylesiders have failed to win a game in the last four outings when held by an enthusiastic Galway United at the Brandywell.

Stephen Kenny's men, who had been top scorers during the early stages of the season, continued to suffer in front of goal with Galway centre-half, Wesley Charles playing a starring role and his goalkeeper, Gary Rogers as safe as houses.

That's not to suggest that Galway arrived in a defensive frame of mind. On the contrary, they gave as good as the got and, indeed, could have nicked a goal at a vital stage in the second half.

But after what proved a brutal opening period, neither side went close to scoring and of the half chances that had been created, it was Galway who really should have broken the deadlock.

In the 11th minute, former Derry striker, Stephen O'Flynn, did well to work his way into the danger area but when the opportunity presented itself, the Cork man screwed the ball wide of the target.

Derry's Owen Morrison was the only player to actually get the ball on target during that period when he tried to chip Gary Rogers but the Galway keeper made an easy save in the 26th minute.

City stopper, Gerard Doherty, pulled off an excellent save in the 62nd minute from Derek O'Brien as the Candystripes failed to get to grips with the game.

Brandywell boss, Kenny, made two changes after an hour with Paddy McCourt and Conor Sammon entering the fray and the latter threatened in the 69th minute but his shot on the turn was directed at Rogers.

Galway retaliated and squandered the best chance of the game to that point when James O'Shea found the unmarked Vinny Faherty who blazed the ball over the bar from 16 yards.

A Ruaidhri Higgins cross found Mark Farren in the 73rd minute but his shot, from point blank range was blocked and saved by Rogers.

A third Derry substitute, Gareth McGlynn, forced Rogers into another save minutes later as the home side began to get on top.

In the 78th minute a shot by Sammon from eight yards was blocked by Rogers and when the Derry striker miss-kicked the rebound McCourt lashed the ball agonisingly wide of the upright.

Derry continues to press but failed dismally to breach the visiting rearguard but Galway boss, Jeff Kenna, will certainly have been the happier of the managers, as securing his first point.

Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; McGinn, Molloy (McGlynn, 75 mins.), Higgins, Morrison (McCourt, 60 mins.); Farren, McHugh (Sammon, 65 mins).

Galway Utd: Rogers; Nootimeer, Charles, Fitzgerald, McCullock; O'Shea, Deegan, Russell, O'Brien (Fenn, 74 mins.); Faherty (Leech, 84 mins.), O'Flynn (Glynn, 82 mins.).