League of Ireland Premier Division: Derry City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers created the better chances at the Brandywell

Derry City's five-match Premier Division winning run at the Brandywell was ended as they were fortunate to draw against Shamrock Rovers.

The struggling Hoops bossed the contest with Roberto Lopes and Graham Burke missing glorious first-half chances.

In the second half, Daniel Carr hit a post with Gerard Doherty denying Sean Kavanagh and Carr and Brandon Miele also going close for the visitors.

Derry had a late penalty appeal after a suspected hand ball but created little.

Kenny Shiels' side remain in fourth place and are eight points behind leaders Cork City with a game in hand.

Cork beat Dundalk 1-0 in Friday's top-of-the-table encounter.

The Candystripes went into the contest after winning seven out of eight games since their 6-1 thumping by Rovers in Dublin a couple of weeks into the campaign.

In contrast, Rovers had suffered six defeats since that thumping win and manager Stephen Bradley appeared under some pressure going into Friday's contest.

However, once again Rovers proved the better side with the outstanding Greg Bolger and Aaron Bolger conclusively winning the midfield battle and Graham Burke impressive in their attack.

Ronan Hale and Jamie McDonagh performed well for Derry but nearly all the best players on the pitch were in the Rovers line-up.

Derry's Conor McDermott had to make a great clearance to turn away a superb Burke cross early on and Hoops deefender Lopes headed a great chance over in the 38th minute before Burke failed to find the target just before the break.

It was more of the same after the resumption as Carr hitting the woodwork with Derry keeper Doherty saving the follow-up effort from Kavanagh.

Carr and substitute Miele missed further Rovers chances as Derry never really looked like scoring and manager Shiels will surely view the result as a point gained - while unlikely to be happy with his team's display.