Derry City are now six points off the pace in the League of Ireland Premier Division after they could only draw 0-0 against Bohemians at the Brandywell.
The Candystripes are now without a win in four games and champions Shamrock Rovers have a healthy advantage heading into the two-week summer break.
Cian Kavanagh missed a great Derry first-half chance but it was an opening 45 minutes to forgot.
Derry appeared to be denied a blatant penalty for hand ball late in the game.
Bohemians’ Krystian Nowak looked to have handled twice as he tried to deal with a dangerous cross but referee Damien McGrath waved away Derry’s protests with home manager Ruaidhri Higgins receiving a yellow card for his complaints.
After their lacklustre first-half display with both teams appearing to be hindered by a sticky artificial pitch, Derry did pick up the pace considerably in the second period with Adam O’Reilly unable to hook a superb Michael Duffy cross to the net.
Bohs keeper James Talbot also made two fine stops to deny Ryan Graydon and Duffy.
The Candystripes remain second in the table – a point ahead of St Pat’s who were beaten 2-1 in Drogheda – but Shamrock Rovers increased their advantage at the top thanks to a dominant 4-0 win over bottom-placed UCD.
More to follow.