BORE DRAW IN ST ETIENNE - 9:34 AM, May. 8, 2006

Rennes saw their hopes of Champions League qualification all but end on Saturday following a disappointing 0-0 draw at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

The visitors were unable to find a way past home goalkeeper Jeremy Janot, and with Lille also winning their fixture against Lyon, Rennes are now three points behind the third-placed outfit with the two teams set to face each other in a tense showdown next week.

It was not the result departing St Etienne coach Elie Baup had been hoping for either in his last home game in charge after the former Bordeaux boss announced this week his surprise decision to leave the club at the end of the season.

Rennes began the match at a furious pace and nearly registered an early goal when Jimmy Briand fired in a cross which grazed the bar.

And St Etienne goalkeeper Janot also saw some early action, diving at the feet of John Utaka to deny the Nigerian striker.

St Etienne then produced their first opening with Julien Sable's power drive needing a finger-tip save from Rennes keeper Andreas Isaksson.

And Isaksson continued to feel the heat after the interval, making another good stop this time from David Hellebuyck.

Rennes were not prepared to lie down however, and a neat pass from Kim Kallstrom resulted in a fierce drive from Utaka which flew narrowly wide.

And Janot pulled off a spectacular reflex stop to deny a close-range effort from substitute Alexander Frei.

With third place and the Champions League seemingly slipping from their grasp, Rennes mustered one last effort on goal with Kallstrom trying his luck from 25 yards.

But it was not to be for the Swedish international with another stunning save from Janot ensuring the points were shared.