Resolute Hertha hold firm in Dublin

Hertha BSC Berlin held out in the face of some strong pressure from Saint Patrick's Athletic FC to earn a goalless draw in Dublin and reach the UEFA Cup group stage for the second time.

Two-goal cushion
Leading 2-0 after the first leg of their first-round tie in Germany a fortnight ago, the Bundesliga side held the initiative and had the upper hand in terms of possession at the RDS Stadium. The best they had to show for their efforts, however, was a well-struck shot from Cicero a minute into the second half that was kept out by home goalkeeper Barry Ryan. Instead it was the home side who came closest to a breakthrough, the post twice preserving Hertha's two-goal advantage.

Post intervenes
On the hour midfielder Keith Fahey was denied by the woodwork and then delivered the corner from which team-mate Gary Dempsey also struck the woodwork. In between those efforts, Hertha needed a top-class save from Czech goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobný to deny Ryan Guy, while substitute John Murphy almost set up a frantic finale when he went close again for St Patrick's five minutes from time. It is Hertha, however, who will take their place in the group stage draw in Nyon on 7 October.