National League/Premier Division/Drogheda Utd - 0 Cork City - 0: A point apiece did little for either side's title aspirations as Drogheda and Cork played out a scoreless draw at United Park last evening. Drogheda had much the better of the few goal chances which materialised in a closely fought encounter but simply couldn't find the finish that their greater endeavour probably merited.

Cork created the first chance when Denis Behan was on the end of Neil Horgan's free, forcing Dan Connor to fingertip the ball over the bar.

Seconds later at the other end Paul Keegan knocked a free from outside the box over the wall but keeper Michael Devine was on hand to make the save.

Drogheda should have scored after seven minutes when Eamon Zayed sprung the offside trap on the left and raced into the box forcing Devine to make the save from his powerful strike.

However, the visitors' keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Gavin Whelan whose follow-up appeared destined for the net until Dan Murray hooked the ball off the line.

The home side enjoyed much the better of the closing stages of the half and with quarter of an hour remaining Shane Barrett skilfully weaved past several Cork defenders but his shot was well saved by Devine.

Drogheda then had a strong penalty shout turned down by referee Ian Stokes as Declan O'Brien tumbled under a challenge from Alan Bennett just before the break.

Cork began the second half brightly, forcing three successive corners, but they failed to capitalise on their early pressure.

The game then descended into mediocrity for 20 minutes or more, as both sides lost their way entirely, and it wasn't until the 74th minute that either side created anything in the way of a goal opportunity.

Drogheda won a free on the left corner of the Cork box, which Paul Keegan clipped towards the top corner of the goal, but Devine got a touch to send it out for a corner.

With 83 minutes played Damian Lynch caused panic in the home defence when his back-pass fell well short of 'keeper Connor. However, the Drogheda net-minder raced from his goal to block John O'Flynns shot.

The home side almost won it six minutes from the end when Declan O'Brien broke on the right and pulled the ball back for Paul Keegan, but his shot came back off the crossbar.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Webb, Gavin (Gray 88), Robinson, Whelan, O'Brien, Shelley, Zayed (Ristila 80), Keegan, Barrett.

CORK CITY: Devine; Murphy, Bennett, Murray, O'Brien, Fenn (Lordan 80), Woods, O'Donovan, Softic, Behan (O'Flynn 70), Horgan.

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin).