Both Bohemians and Galway United had to settle for a point apiece after a hard-fought scoreless stalemate under the sun at Dalymount Park this afternoon.

Prior to kick off these sides were split only by one point as both sought to revive their flagging title hopes by putting the pressure on Shamrock Rovers, just ahead of them, in third.

Although they trailed their hosts in the table, Galway enjoyed more of the early possession, looking comfortable on the ball but had to rely on diligent Eve Dossen defending to prevent Kate Malone firing a shot off in the eleventh minute.

It was Rachel Doyle who had the first shot in anger five minutes later though, firing over Jessica Berlin’s bar, Jamie Erickson also impressing early on in the Galway backline with a succession of towering clearing headers.

Top scorer Jenna Slattery then had a pop, firing at home goalkeeper and captain, Rachel Kelly in a cagey opening spell.

The Galway skipper had a better chance in the twenty sixth minute, slid in by a fine Lynsey McKey pass, Kelly though stood tall to block Slattery’s shot and keep it scoreless.

Next in the keeper’s bag of tricks was a fantastic flying stop to deny Jodie Griffin a scorching long-range opener.

Something had to give entering the second half with the Tribeswomen keen to extend their unbeaten away streak, but Bohs were extremely well-marshalled, somewhat shackling Slattery’s influence.

Defences were dominating with both attacks struggling to click in the face of tight tackles and limited space, a goal for either side would certainly be hard fought for.

Malone, on home debut at Dalymount, pestered the Galway backline before unselfishly setting up Mia Dodd, who fired over after Griffin had again gone close, just off target from a corner.

Erickson excelled aerially but failed to direct a close-range header on target from McKey’s masterful ball in, the visitors beginning to up the tempo.

Berlin was worked six minutes from time, Lisa Murphy’s powerful free kick parried and claimed by the Galway goalkeeper, to the home crowd’s disappointment.

More anguish came as Malone got evaded the offside trap but Berlin, mirroring Kelly earlier on, saved smartly.

A Slattery set piece then caused penalty-box chaos as Galway once more were left rueing a near miss, the game opening up immensely in the final minutes.

Lovely found Malone on a rapid counterattack only for the alert Berlin to play sweeper-keeper brilliantly, saving her clean sheet and her side’s point.

Despite the dominant defences, this was a highly entertaining shutout showing just why both these sides are so hard to play against.

Another tough test awaits Bohemians next week, away to Athlone Town (7pm KO) with Galway back on home turf at Eamonn Deacy Park to play DLR Waves (7:35pm KO).