The real winner after this scoreless draw between second placed St Patrick’s Athletic and third in the table Cork City are leaders Bohemians, who remain a point ahead of their Dublin rivals, and four clear of the Leesiders.
Bohemians have now also got two games in hand after Ireland's UEFA Cup representatives failed to break the deadlock in front of 3,940 fans.
Cork went close near the end through efforts from Denis Behan and Darren Murphy, with St Pat’s midfielder Keith Fahey shooting inches wide in injury-time.
The match saw Saints manager John McDonnell give new signing Jason Gavin his debut after he signed for €20,000 from Drogheda United this week.
Cork welcomed back Republic of Ireland midfielder Joe Gamble, who missed the win over Drogheda last week through suspension, and he replaced Cillian Lordan in the starting XI.
In a closely fought first half chances were few and far between, with the visitors creating an opening after six minutes, when a cross from Fahey was headed over the crossbar by Stephen Paisley.
Cork had a 25-yard effort from Gamble, who had been linked with a move to Inchicore in recent months until agreeing a new deal with Alan Matthews, fly about a foot wide of Barry Ryan's goal.
The best second half chances came in the closing minutes, when first goalkeeper Ryan saved from Murphy, with the follow-up shot from Behan blocked for a corner kick.
Danny Murphy's flag kick was headed goalwards by the other Murphy with Ryan touching his effort over the crossbar.
In injury-time Fahey went on a good run which ended with his shot drifting inches wide of Michael Devine's post, which the goalkeeper had covered.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Healy, Gamble, Darren Murphy, Kearney; Mooney, Behan.
Substitutes: McNulty, Lordan, Mulcahy, Ryan, O'Connor.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Barry Ryan; O'Cearuill, Gavin, Paisley, Byrne; Fahey, Dempsey, Lynch, O'Brien; Harris, Guy.
Substitutes: Bobby Ryan for O'Brien 65, Fitzpatrick for O'Cearuill 55, Brennan, Rogers, Clarke.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
