Derry City's miserable run of form continued as they had to settle for a share of spoils in a 0-0 against a well organised Bohemians side, at a sun-kissed Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
The Candystripes never really got going until the second half as they again didn't have any tempo in what was a disappointing first half.
The scoreless affair combined with Shamrock Rovers victory over bottom side UCD, means Derry now sit six points behind the champions going into the mid-season break, this despite the Hoops failing to win any of their opening six league games.
As for Bohs they looked a threat on the counter attack, but never threatened City goalkeeper Brian Maher, but will be the happier with the point.
61' Derry City 0-0 Bohs
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 9, 2023
Derry go so close to breaking the deadlock
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A Ben Doherty free-kick from the right found an unmarked Cian Kanavagh at the back post, but the ex-Waterford man failed to trouble Bohs keeper James Talbot and the ball flashed out of play.
The visitors should have done better on 15 minutes as Jordan Flores' 25 yard free-kick hit the wall before falling perfectly for Grant Horton, but the defender's poor shot was well off target.
City missed a glorious chance themselves minutes later as Cian Kavanagh somehow side footed wide from close range, after Sadou Diallo's cross had picked out the striker. Derry missed a golden chance on 53 minutes as Michael Duffy broke clear down the left before his clipped cross found Adam O'Reilly, but the midfielder blazed over from close range.
With both their tails up and the supporters getting behind the home side they went close again just before the hour mark, but Ronan Boyce's strike was deflected wide, after the ball fell kindly to him 12 yards from goal. Whatever manager Ruaidhrí Higgins said to his players at the break it worked as Talbot had to make a superb save on 59 minutes this time pushing over Ryan Graydon's smashing drive.
80' Derry City 0-0 Bohs
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 9, 2023
Fine effort from Paddy Kirk who sees his shot fly just wide
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Bohs slowly started to get into the second half and they went close on 74 minutes but Patrick Kirk's long range strike through a host of players, sailed just past Maher's left hand post. Talbot made a stunning save on 82 minutes, the keeper diving low to his left to keep out Duffy's well hit drive, which had gone through a host of bodies.
Right at the death Derry had massive claims for a penalty as substitute Jamie McGoingle saw his glancing header handled by Bohs centre-back Krystian Nowak, but referee Damien MacGraith waved away City's appeals.
Deep into stoppage time City substitute Brandon Kavanagh headed over from close range, after Duffy's centre had picked him out.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll; Sadou Diallo, Ben Doherty (Oliver O'Neill 79), Adam O'Reilly; Ryan Graydon (Brandon Kavanagh 89), Cian Kavanagh (Jamie McGonigle 79), Michael Duffy.
Bohemians: James Talbot, Patrick Kirk, Krystian Nowak, Grant Horton, Jordan Flores, Declan McDaid (Jonathan Afolabi 72), Alistair Coote (James Clarke 77), James Akintunde (Dylan Connolly 60), Kacper Radkowski, Keith Buckley, Adam McDonnell (John O'Sullivan 77).
Referee: Damien MacGraith (Dublin).
