Bohemians' stuttering league form continued as Shelbourne held them to a scoreless draw during a drab Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.
Collecting just nine points from their last eight games, the Gypsies look increasingly vulnerable having slipped from early league leaders down to third place.
No doubt Damien Duff will be the happier of the two managers tonight. His side haven’t won here in a decade, and never looked like doing so, yet they defended admirably to snatch a point on the road.
Bohemians played the better football on the night, but couldn't break down the resolute Reds, who boast the league's best defensive record this season.
Sun-soaked and entirely sold out, Dalymount looked like the perfect setting for the best of summer football. However, the conditions proved irrelevant as both sides struggled to spark this game into life.
Playing wing-backs in an orthodox 3-5-2, Shelbourne arrived with intent. Often accused of negative play, they did try to pass quickly across their back line and into midfield. What happened past midfield was the recurring problem.
Brothers Tyreke and John-Ross Wilson provided wide outlets, but the ball just couldn’t stick with Jack Moylan and Matty Smith up front.
Duff roared in frustration, but his side’s attacking demise was as much to do with Bohs’ effective man-marking than sloppiness on Shelbourne’s part.
While tacticians watched with interest, this game didn’t exactly roar to life. That is putting it mildly.
Bohemians’ Declan McDaid struck an early effort wide, while Kris Twardek was denied inside the box on the half-hour mark.
The Gypsies looked closer to scoring, but Ali Coote could only rattle the crossbar when he struck a powerful free-kick just before the break.
Bohemians go close from a Ali Coote free-kick. It's 0-0 at the break between Bohemians and Shelbourne
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Eager to inject creativity, Duff introduced Evan Caffrey and 18-year-old Jad Hakiki early in the second-half. However, it was still the home side’s game, as Jonathan Afolabi had a shooting chance deflected behind.
With the sun-setting, the Gypsies continued to turn the screw. Kris Twardek whipped, curled and lofted a series of crosses from right-wing – though, Gavin Molloy and Luke Byrne were resolute in diverting each effort away from the Shelbourne goal.
Frustrations flared up on both sides as the game slipped away and referee Damien MacGraith brandished a flurry of yellow cards.
Ultimately, Shelbourne stood firm in defence, leaving their fans to celebrate this draw like a win.
Bohemian FC: James Talbot; Jay Benn (Grant Horton, 90), Kacper Radkowski, Krystian Nowak, Jordan Flores; Adam McDonnell, James McManus; Kris Twardek, Ali Coote, Declan McDaid (James Clarke, 84); Jonathan Afolabi (James Akintunde, 56).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Gavin Molloy, Shane Griffin, Luke Byrne; John Ross Wilson, Tyreke Wilson (Kameron Ledwidge, 70); Shane Farrell (Evan Caffrey, 46), Mark Coyle (Jad Hakiki, 57), JJ Lunney; Matty Smith (Sean Boyd, 70), Jack Moylan (Kyle Robinson, 89).
Referee: Damian MacGrath.
