Derry City ... 0 Shamrock Rovers ... 0Derry City will believe they have done enough to avoid the relegation play-off spot after sharing the spoils with Shamrock Rovers at a windy Brandywell last night.

Now four points clear of Drogheda United, Derry are safe excepting surprise results from elsewhere. For Rovers, all eyes will focus on tonight's clash at Inchicore, when Cork City pay St Patrick's Athletic a visit and a win for Cork would seriously threaten the Dubliners' hopes of an InterToto Cup spot.

But last night the near gale-force wind made this match a lottery and while Rovers enjoyed the benefits of the wind in an understandably disappointing first-half, it was the home side who carved out the best chance.

In the 36th minute, Gary Beckett, returning to action for the first time since October, had a shot well saved by Rovers' reserve goalkeeper, Robbie Horgan. Horgan entered the fray as a substitute in the 30th minute when Tony O'Dowd appeared to injury himself following a kick-out.

Derry's Eamon Doherty failed to get onto the end of Tommy McCallion's cross just after the break but Rovers hit back immediately when Trevor Molloy's angled shot flew wide of the post. Molloy broke from the half-way line two minutes later but shot wide from 12 yards.

Derry eventually used the wind to their advantage when, in the 61st minute, a Liam Coyle shot on the turn was spilled by Horgan but Seán Friars failed to get the telling touch.

In the 73rd minute Beckett blasted the ball over the bar from 18 yards when he could have done better. Four minutes later, Horgan did well to save low at his near post after Seán Hargan's shot on the turn. Rovers, however, were always dangerous on the break and following a Stephen Grant free-kick, James Keddy shot narrowly over the crossbar.

DERRY CITY: Gough; Hutton, E McCallion, McLaughlin, Hargan; McGlynn, Doherty, T McCallion, Friars; Beckett, Coyle. Subs: Kevin Deery for McGlynn 86 mins.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Gough, Palmer, McGuinness, Byrne; S Grant, Tracey, Colwell, Keddy; Hunt, Molloy. Subs: Horgan for O'Dowd 30 mins, T Grant for Hunt 79 mins.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).