Melbourne City and Perth Glory have played out a 0-0 draw that did little for either side’s A-League ambitions.
The Glory lengthened their winless run to five matches at AAMI Park on Sunday, looking anything but the league leaders.
Kenny Lowe’s side did not have a shot on target all match, leaving much of the attacking to finals-chasing City.
Josh Kennedy and Aaron Mooy impressed for City but found the sticky conditions too tough to break the deadlock.
City controlled the first 20 minutes but could not put the ball in the net.
Patrick Kisnorbo headed a corner downwards instead of towards goal, while a strong run and cross from lively City debutant Kew Jaliens gave Kennedy a sight of goal on 14 minutes.
The Socceroo toed his effort over the bar as Josh Melling peppered Danny Vukovic’s goal.
With temperatures stuck above 30 degrees Celsius, the match degenerated.
Andy Keogh and Josh Risdon, who were detained by police in the aftermath of Glory’s 1-1 draw with Adelaide, shook off their hangovers and looked Perth’s most likely danger men.
But the league leaders could not fashion a shot on goal during a first half that petered out in the heat.
Jaliens missed a header of his own from Mooy’s fine delivery five minutes after the break.
Worse for City, Melling limped off for City on the hour mark with a suspected knee injury.
Glory’s injury news was much better, with Mitch Nichols making a return as a substitute after 10 weeks out with a hamstring strain.
Perth was not without chances but was largely restricted to counter-punching.
Keogh sent two second-half headers wide of the bar, before being sent clear in injury-time.
Nichols’ fancy footwork found the Irishman but Tando Velaphi was quick to rush out and preserve his clean sheet.
City stays stuck in seventh with the draw, the third consecutive match in which John van ‘t Schip’s team have failed to score.
Round 18 results:
Brisbane Roar Melbourne Victory (postponed)
Adelaide United 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Wellington Phoenix 2-2 Newcastle Jets
Melbourne City 0-0 Perth Glory