The most entertaining scoreless draw of the season played out in The Ryan McBride Brandywell as outstanding goalkeeping and goalline clearances saw Shelbourne visit Derry City and share the spoils.

The game had everything from missed penalties, goal line clearances, last gasp blocks and some spectacular saves but neither side were able to convert any of the 22 scoring opportunities they created during a highly entertaining game played in glorious sunshine in the North West this evening.

Neither side were able to convert any of the multiple goalscoring opportunities they created during a highly entertaining game played in glorious sunshine in the north west this evening.

The Candystripes of course will be disappointed to lose their place at the top of the table as a result of Shamrock Rover’s 2-0 victory over Dundalk but with five points dropped in the last two league games some concerns may be growing on Foyleside about their recent slump in form.

Shelbourne brought the game straight to the Candystripe’s in the opening exchanges but it was the home side who created the first opportunity as Michael Duffy produced a lovely first touch to create some space in the Shels defence but his long range effort didn’t bother Conor Kearns in the visitor’s goal.

With 11 minutes on the clock it was all about Moylan as the in-form forward just missed a lofted ball but Evan Caffrey found himself in possession, a top notch tackle from full back Ronan Boyce was required to diffuse the threat.

The game really opened up as both teams went gung ho at each other. Approaching the quarter hour mark JR Wilson was unable to keep his effort down under pressure from a scrambled Derry defence, before Kyle Robinson almost broke the deadlock. A poor clearance from Derry saw the ball swiftly returned to the box and ended up at the feet of Robinson twelve yards out and his powerful left foot drive ricochets back of the inside of the near post with Brian Maher in trouble.

Moylan is the next Shels forward to have an opportunity as he finds some space in the home penalty box but he’s well marshalled by the Derry defence and the ball is cleared.

Derry winger Michael Duffy looks to have opened the scoring as he breaks through the defence and lobs the ball over the onrushing, but stranded, keeper Kearns but Wilson hadn’t read the script with an excellent diving clearance to send the goalbound ball over the crossbar and preserve his side’s unblemished goal.

A minute later Shelbourne were handed a massive opportunity. Shane Farrell is adjudged to have been fouled in the Derry box and the referee points to the spot. Farrell himself steps up to take the penalty and chips the ball down the middle only for Maher to stretch out a toe and flick the ball over the bar, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Another Ronan Boyce last gasp intervention as Jack Moylan threathened on a breakaway kept the game scoreless at the break as both defences proved to be on top.

Ben Doherty almost gave Ruaidhri Higgins’ side the perfect start to the second half with a fine header from a Michael Duffy cross in the opening play of the second half but the ball goes inches over the cross bar from close range.

Just before the hour mark Moylan and Wilson combined to create an opportunity for the visitors. Moylan getting on the end of a long ball and holding up the play to allow his team mate join the play. Wilson’s effort was headed for the bottom corner but Maher magnificently gets down to hold the shot.

Robinson had another opportunity as he sprung the offside trap to give himself a shooting effort but can’t find a way past Maher as both keepers continue to offer up phenomenal displays.

Kearn’s continued the trend with just over twenty minutes remaining as he acrobatically tipped over a Ciaran Coll header from a free kick.

The final opportunities both fell to Michael Duffy from a flick on by Cian Kavanagh but the winger was unable to direct this shot goalwards before a close range free kick went just over the bar with a fitting intervention from keeper Kearns.

Damien Duff’s side’s fine season continues as they welcome Drogheda United on the bank holiday, but for Derry they face into a trip to Dublin to face St. Pat’s on Monday night winless in their last two games.