AS Monaco's hopes of closing the gap on the top three in Ligue 1 are on course to suffer a setback after they failed to break down Bastia before half time.

The Corsicans, who started the game just above the relegation zone, made a strong start at the Stade Armand Cesari as Gael Danic teed up fellow midfielder Julian Palmieri, but his shot was saved by Danijel Subasic.

Moments later it was Palmieri who turned provider, crossing for striker Florian Raspentino, but the forward who scored the winner against Bordeaux in midweek was unable to find the back of the net as Subasjic turned his effort away.

Monaco's first shot of note did not arrive until the 16th minute as midfielder Fabinho saw his strike closed down by the Bastia backline.

Les Rouges et Blanc looked to be settling into the game later in the half as tall target man Lacina Traore almost set up the opening goal as he squared the ball into Boschilia's path, only for the midfielder to blaze his shot over the crossbar.

Ten minutes before the interval, the Monagasques suffered a blow when Fabio Coentrao was forced off with an injury.

His replacement Bernardo Silva almost made an instant impact when he found the head of Almamy Toure, only for the defender to see his effort hit the post.