Le Mans' slim UEFA Cup qualification hopes took a further set-back after they were held to a goalless draw by Monaco betting at the Leon-Bolle stadium.

Le Mans, who have now drawn five successive games, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as the away side settled for a point in a lacklustre encounter.

The result means Le Mans, who are appearing in only their second ever season in the top flight, are now six points adrift of the European places in ninth place.

Tenth-placed Monaco are a further four points behind Les Manceaux, although they do have a game in hand.

And it was the away side that started the game brightest, as Camel Meriem fired over a 25-yard free-kick in the ninth minute.

The home side started to get a foothold in the match and three minutes later Guillaume Lauriot's long distance shot sailed over the crossbar.

In the 15th minute, Koffi Romaric's 30-yard pile-driver was punched back into open play by Monaco goalkeeper Flavio Roma.

Le Mans failed to build on their dominance and did not create any more chances till the 36th minute when Daisuke Matsui's shot was easily held by Roma.

After the interval both sides struggled to create any fluency in their play as the defences held the upper hand.

But just after the hour mark Monaco striker Ernesto Chevanton issued a warning to the home side with a long-range shot that went wide.

In the 77th minute Romaric then had another 30-yard effort punched away by Roma as both sides failed to create any chances in the dying minutes.