Rennes remain a point behind Nantes in Ligue 1 after the two sides played out a goalless draw in the Brittany Derby.

The home side were in charge for long spells of patient passing play, but a stubborn Nantes defence limited the chances on offer in the early stages of a cagey affair.

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Despite starting the match on the back foot, Nantes created a promising chance when the ball was shifted across the box to Ismael Bangoura, who sliced his effort wide of the target.

The visitors continued to improve as the first half progressed, and applied more pressure when Jordan Veretout twice fired over the crossbar before the break.

A mistake in the Nantes defence almost gifted the home side the opening goal early in the second half as a loose ball broke to Abdoulaye Doucoure in the box, but Remy Riou reacted impressively to sprint off his line and make the block.

Neither side appeared willing to take a backward step after the interval, despite a lack of cutting edge at both ends of the pitch restricting the opportunities on offer.

Rennes nearly snatched all three points late on when Ola Toivonen controlled a high ball before volleying an effort a few inches over the crossbar, but the local rivals could not be separated.