League of Ireland Premier Division/ St Patrick's Athletic 0 Bohemians 0:Like Bray a few weeks back, Bohemians travelled to Inchicore aiming to put an end to the home side's winning streak by taking the game to them and, just like Wanderers, they tried to do it by playing a third man in attack and applying sufficient pressure to prevent their opponents finding their stride.

In stark contrast to Eddie Gormley's men, however, who found themselves three down after less than 10 minutes, Sean Connor's pulled it off last night at Richmond Park where they became the first team this season to prevent St Patrick's from scoring and took away a well-earned point.

For John McDonnell there is the consolation that his side survived a stern test without conceding themselves, an achievement down largely to solid defending but also, at the end, to a fine save by Barry Ryan from Glen Crowe, whose low drive from 15 metres out looked certain to fly into the bottom left corner only for the goalkeeper to push the ball around the post.

It was the highlight of a strong finish by the visitors who had also enjoyed fractionally the better of the opening half's exchanges and a near monopoly on clear-cut chances.

Kevin Hunt and John Paul Kelly both narrowly missed the target with shots from the edge of the area during the opening 17 minutes before Crowe hit the woodwork from close range.

The striker's shot rounded off a neat piece of improvised approach work after Stephen Paisley's attempt to head clear a free-kick had been seized upon by Chris Kingberry.

Neale Fenn and John Frost then had a hand in things before Crowe turned the ball towards the target.

The hosts quickly recovered from the scare and managed some fine passing sequences of their own in what was a quick, often physical, entertaining and highly tactical encounter.

In contrast to recent weeks, however, they struggled to make any sort of impact in front of goal where neither Gary O'Neill nor Mark Quigley ever made the sort of impact required.

On the one occasion the Bohemians defence did look a little lost Dave Mulcahy couldn't make the connection required from the far post.

For much of the second half the home side did get on top but again they found it impossible to carve out any real chances. Bohemians were reduced to playing long balls towards their front men for a spell and while Darren Mansaram provided an energetic new challenge for his markers after coming on 20 minutes from time, his side looked unlikely to score.

Clearly struggling with a groin strain at the other end, Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy looked vulnerable if only McDonnell's recently prolific men could test him but the only time he was forced into serious action was close to the end when he cut out O'Neill's low cross for Alan Kirby at the near post.

When he was eventually replaced, Quigley took it badly with the manager having to prevent him heading straight for the dressingroom while there were other concerns for the home side's boss as Joseph Ndo limped out of the contest at half-time.

On balance, though, there will be some satisfaction within the home camp that they came through what was probably their toughest test to date this season with their unbeaten record intact.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Mulcahy, Maguire, Brennan, Paisley, Frost; Ndo (Guy, half-time), Fahey, Kirby; M Quigley (Rooney, 71), O'Neill.

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; O Heary, McGuinness, Pooley, Byrne; Kelly, Hunt (T Heary, 87), Rice; Kingsberry (Mansaram, 71), Fenn, Crowe.

Referee: I Stokes(Dublin).