Derry City 0 Shelbourne 0: Both Derry City and Shelbourne will have been happy to preserve their unbeaten records at the Brandywell last night. The result was a fair one but each side had clear-cut chances to win the game.

Derry were presented with a superb opportunity in the 24th minute. Beckett found Mark Farren but the striker's shot was blocked by Dave Rogers.

The visitors were dangerous on the break and it took a magnificent stop by Derry goalkeeper David Forde to deny Jason Byrne in the 27th minute.

Derry sent Shelbourne hearts racing in the 55th minute when Gary Beckett got behind the visitors defence before his shot crashed off the upright.

Shelbourne went close to breaking the deadlock in the 75th minute when, following a mix-up in the Derry defence, Peter Hutton blocked a Byrne shot and, as the ball broke free, Forde managed to smother it on his six-yard line.

Derry almost had the final say in the 88th minute when Gareth McGlynn drove the ball across the face of goal but Stephen O'Flynn failed to get the telling touch.

Derry City: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, Delaney, D Brennan; Cash, Murphy, Higgins, K Brennan; Farren, Beckett. Subs: Martyn for Cash (51 mins), O'Flynn for Farren (70 mins).

Shelbourne: S Williams; O Heary, D Rogers, C Hawkins, D Crawley; B Ryan, J Crawford, S Byrne, W Hoolahan; G Crowe, J Byrne. Sub: O Cahill for Ryan (70 mins).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).