St Etienne remained in the hunt for a European place despite being held to a goalless draw at home by Marseille in Ligue 1.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came closest to scoring for the hosts when his shot came back off the bar.

The draw left St Etienne still in with a shout for the top-five finish required for Europa League qualification with two games to go against Nancy and Bordeaux. Marseille are in mid-table.

After an uninspiring opening, Aubameyang almost broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when he got clear near the area, but his powerful shot hit the frame of the goal.

At the other end, Alejandro Alonso got in a covering challenge to prevent Loic Remy from getting a shot away inside the area.

Alonso was in action going forward after the break, playing in Aubameyang, whose low drive was kept out by OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

Jordan Ayew should have put the visitors in front only to shoot just wide when unmarked before Mandanda denied Alonso.

Both sides were at least offering more of an attacking threat and Remy ran on to a Morgan Amalfitano backheel only to fire into the side-netting.

St Etienne had the last chance of the game, Aubameyang dribbling past Jeremy Morel and getting a shot away from the angle of the area, but it flew narrowly wide as both sides had to settle for a point.