Auxerre missed the chance to take over at the top of Ligue 1 after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Monaco.
Monaco frustrate title hopefuls
Auxerre missed the chance to take over at the top of Ligue 1 after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Monaco on Monday night.
Jean Fernandez's men moved level on points with champions and leaders Bordeaux on 56 points, but remain in third place as they also trail Montpellier by virtue of their inferior goal difference.
Monaco, who have now failed to find the net in each of their last four outings, remain in ninth place in the table.
The home side enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages of the match but they failed to trouble Auxerre goalkeeper and captain Olivier Sorin.
Smother
It was the visitors who had the first real chance as central defender Adama Coulibaly had a free header from a corner in the 20th minute, but he failed to hit the target.
Auxerre also had the best opportunity in the opening exchanges of the second-half but Poland international striker Jelen Ireneusz's first touch let him down and Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier was able to smother.
The visitors were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men with just over 20 minutes remaining as Kenya international Dennis Oliech clashed with Monaco central defender Djimi Traore, but referee Lionel Jaffredo took no action.
Auxerre thought they had broken the stalemate in the 81st minute when Romanian striker Daniel Niculae looked to have been rewarded for a busy night's work, but Jaffredo disallowed it for offside.
