Cork city's title hopes received a hammer blow at Turner's Cross yesterday when they were held to a scoreless draw by Derry City.

Before the game Cork were five points behind Bohemians and 10 points adrift of league leaders Shelbourne and a one point decrease in those stakes will have done little to improve their chances.

Cork were the disappointed team leaving the pitch and manager Dave Barry had some choice words regarding the performance of the referee.

"The performance of that referee left an awful lot to be desired. In the four years that I have been manager I don't think he has ever had a good game here.

"I don't know what it is about him but any 50-50 decisions always seem to go against us and that is frustrating because my players gave their all," said Barry.

"Their keeper was slowing things down all the time and a booking for him early in the game could have improved matters but I cannot fault my players for their effort even if we didn't win.

"We kept a clean sheet and at least we went for the win. That is how we play. We want to win and of course we are disappointed not to have done so," said City's Dave Barry.

Cork continued with their selection of Patsy Freyne as Pat Morley's partner in attack, but it did diminish Cork's effectiveness.

CORK CITY: Harrington, O'Halloran, Cronin, Napier, Coughlan, Freyne, Cahill, L. O'Brien, Herrick, Morley, C. O'Brien. Subs: Caulfield for L. O'Brien (74 mins), Hartigan for Morley (86 mins).

DERRY CITY: Platt, McCallion, Hargan, Hutton, Kelly, Doherty, McLaughlin, Hegarty, Coyle, Beckett, McCready. Subs: Moran for Coyle (89 mins), McCaul for McCready (78 mins).

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).