Shamrock Rovers extended their lead at the top of the table to five points, for the moment at least, following this scoreless draw that did the domestic game few favours at Oriel Park last night.
Even allowing for the approach of Hallowe'en, this is one performance Rovers manager Damien Richardson will quickly want exorcised as his side finished with 10 men as Shane Robinson was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minute.
In a scrappy, patternless opening, it was the struggling home side who carved out the couple of half chances that provided Dundalk's biggest crowd of the season with some cheer. The industrious Ciaran Kavanagh shot over on three minutes after clever work by Liam Dunne and David Hoey before David Ward had his goalbound shot blocked away by Pat Scully.
Rovers showed little inspiration in the first half. They did force the only real save of the period on 33 minutes. Robinson, in for the injured Jason Colwell, beavered his way past three defenders to set up Stephen Grant whose cross shot John Connolly got down well to hold.
Rovers enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the second half but were almost caught out on 68 minutes. Ward put Martin Reilly clean through, but the striker shot wide of Tony O'Dowd's right-hand post.
Robinson, who headed tamely wide, and Marc Kenny with a free-kick which Connolly comfortably held, was the sum of Rovers' offering late on as Dundalk slowly came more into the game in the final stages. Prizeman put Reilly through on 83 minutes but the striker's touch let him down and the chance was missed.
Robinson, booked for diving shortly before half-time, received a second yellow card on 90 minutes for a foul on Ward as the game ended on the sour note of his dismissal.
DUNDALK: Connolly; Hoey, Broughan, Callaghan, Crawley; Prizeman, Kavanagh, Dunne, Ward; Ryan, Reilly. Subs: Melvin for Callaghan (73 mins), Robinson for Ryan (80 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Deans, Scully, Palmer, Byrne; Kenny, Tracey, Robinson, Woods; S Grant, Cousins. Subs: Francis for Cousins (58 mins), Kavanagh for Woods (86 mins), Stewart for Kenny (88 mins).
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork)
