Bohemians and Waterford shared the spoils at a chilly Dalymount, a game that was at once entertaining and forgettable.
Chances proved pretty rare as a much-altered home side failed to get into a coherent rhythm against an impressive Waterford, who brushed aside the disappointment of being ruled out of European football this week.
Defeat would have been harsh enough on either of these two outfits, who are in action again on Monday evening as they continue to pursue a top-four finish.
Bohs made eight changes from the side that beat Shamrock Rovers, consistent with the strategy of the management when faced with three games in the space of around a week. It gave Waterford, who were pretty much at full strength, considerable hope, and the visitors began on the front foot.
Indeed, two former Gypsies in JJ Lunney and Izzy Akinade combined early, the latter heading wide.
Bohs spurned a sitter nine minutes in when Ryan Swan, son of former Gypsies striker Derek, headed meekly wide from close range after Ryan Graydon's delivery.
Waterford and in particular Zak Elbouzedi looked dangerous, whereas Bohs' next chance was a Keith Ward free-kick on 25 minutes that failed to bother Matt Connor.
Again Elbouzedi caused havoc for Bohs on 32 minutes and his cross met Akinade, whose shot from inside the box was too central to really trouble Talbot as Waterford started to dominate. It was the story of Akinade's night, as he threatened but flattered.
Five minutes shy of the break, Ward somehow found himself free at the back stick, but his clipped centre was put out for a corner by Maxim Kouougun.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw Waterford own territory. They failed to trouble Connor, however, and nearly paid the price just after the hour-mark.
Dinny Corcoran, just off the bench, prodded wide from about ten yards after fine play by Swan.
Blues' central trio of Shane Duggan, Lunney and Bastien Hery was outstanding, but they continued to lack that killer touch in front of the nets.
It was a game light on chances. Indeed one of the highlights was when a little ball-girl caught the ball impressively from a hoofed clearance and promptly threw it to Waterford full-back Aaron Simpson, who rewarded her with a big smile.
Man of the match, Elbouzedi, would have been the player any watching scout was purring over afterwards but his industry on the night went without the reward of a goal.
Bohs' Paddy Kirk has a big future too and he wrenched his shot wide as time ran out.
Substitute Danny Mandroiu almost sprinted in on goal with two minutes left but Damien Delaney, who had a horror show when last playing here (for Cork City last season), made a superb tackle to deny him.
Bohemians: Talbot; Lyons, Barry, Finnerty, Kirk; Reghba (Corcoran 59), Levingston, McCourt, Graydon (Mandroiu 59); Ward; Swan.
Waterford: Connor; Feely, Kouogun, Delaney, Simpson; Akinade, Hery, Lunney, Duggan, Elbouzedi; Drinan.
Reeree: Graham Kelly (Cork).
