Both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City were left frustrated on Sunday evening as the 24th Melbourne Derby ended in a stalemate at the Home of the Matildas.
It was a cagey start to proceedings at the Home of the Matildas with both sides reduced to long range efforts in a bid to find the opening goal.
The best chance of the first half came in the 36th minute as striker Holly Furphy raced through on goal but flashed her shot inches wide of City keeper Malena Mieres’ far post.
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City had the ball in the back of the net on the approach to half time but Bryleeh Henry’s opener was ruled out due to a narrow offside call.
It was a hot afternoon in Melbourne and the conditions were clearly affecting the game as both sets of players were finding it tough to break the other down.
Matildas gun Holly McNamara struggled to make an impact on the game but came close to finding the breakthrough in the 83rd minute as she spun her marker on the edge of the box before firing narrowly over the bar.
Alexia Apostolakis then took aim in the 87th minute but her shot was always rising and flew harmlessly over the bar.
The result leaves Melbourne City three points clear over second placed Wellington Phoenix at the top of the ladder.
Meanwhile Melbourne Victory remain seventh on the ladder and a point outside the top six with just four games left to play this season.
