Athlone Town and Monaghan United played out a boring scoreless draw at the Athlone Town Stadium as the home side slipped further behind in their quest for promotion.
The first half was marginally better than the second but neither goalkeeper had a serious save to make in the entire ninety minutes.
Monaghan will be happier with the result as they recorded a second consecutive clean sheet following on their big win at home over Shelbourne.
Athlone were unable to break down a resolute United defence in spite of dominating possession of the ball for long periods.
The home side’s best chances in the opening half came from dead ball situations.
Colin Fortune first sent a free-kick just over the bar early in the game.
Brian McCarthy headed another Fortune free-kick wide after 21 minutes with Fortune then having a headed effort saved soon after.
Eric Lavine had further chances for the home side as the half progressed with Ronan Frawley also having a header cleared to safety by Kevin Williamson.
Monaghan were content to soak up the pressure but half chances which fell to Steve Feeney and Aaron Mooney could have given them a surprise half-time lead.
The second half was even worse in terms of goal mouth action and a scoreless draw was the obvious outcome long before the final whistle was blown.
Athlone made three substitutions in the final 15 minutes but to no avail. One of those substitutes David O’Dowd missed a good chance to break the deadlock when he headed an Ian Rossiter cross over the bar with 10 minutes left.
United held on for a share of the spoils with the last chances of the game falling to the home sides Davy Byrne and Colin Fortune but neither could find the target.
Athlone Town: O’Leary, Rossiter, Young, Frawley, McCarthy, Fortune, Gavin (Carberry 80), Byrne, Lavine (O’Dowd 74), McTiernan (McGee 78), Heffernan.
Monaghan United: Woods, Whelan, Williamson, Burke, Mooney, Gannon, Meenan, Feeney, Farrell, Doyle, Darcy.
Referee: E. McNally
