Gavin Dykes seemed to be happy with Wednesday's stalemate

Derry City and Finn Harps failed to produce a goal in a tense Eircom League play-off first leg in Ballybofey on Wednesday night.

Harps produced the better football at Finn Park and will be disappointed not to take an advantage into Saturday's second leg at the Brandywell.

It was a match of half-chances with both defences in excellent form.

Eamonn Doherty and Peter Hutton were outstanding at the back for Derry while Declan Boyle made some telling interventions on the few occasions when the Candystripes threatened.

Derry looked the better team in the opening 10 minutes and Donal O'Brien did well to block a Gareth McGlynn shot early on.

However, Harps then took a grip on the game which they rarely relinquished during the remainder of the contest.

A good run by Jonathan Minnock set up a chance for Kevin McHugh in the 18th minute but the shot went over the crossbar.

In the 32nd minute, there was action at both ends with Paddy McLaughlin first averting the danger in the Derry defence after a rare Hutton mistake.

From the clearance, Gary Beckett found himself in a threatening position but former Brandywell player Declan Boyle produced a great tackle.

Ciaran Martyn will be available for the second leg after suspension

Two minutes before the break, Harps claimed for a penalty but referee Barr adjudged correctly that Hutton had won the ball from Damien Whitehead.

Harps continued to press after the interval and McHugh wasted probably the best chance of the match in the 50th minute when he pulled a shot across the face of goal.

Three minutes later, the impressive Harps winger Niall Ward was inches wide with a long-range shot which had Derry goalkeeper Alan Gough beaten.

At the other end of the field, Mark Farren finally got into a threatening position in the 79th minute but Boyle made another great tackle.

Six minutes from time, Whitehead seemed certain to put Harps ahead but somehow the Derry defence managed to block the shot.

Finn Harps boss Noel King was furious at the finish with referee Barr appearing to blow the final whistle with normal time not yet up.

With several substitutions taking place, one would have expected at least two minutes injury-time.

Derry will be boosted by the availability of Ciaran Martyn and Michael Holt for Saturday's second leg.