Ukraine hold Slovakia to goalless draw in Euro qualifying

Slovakia and Ukraine shared the spoils in Tuesday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Zilina.

The hosts had two shots on goal in a very level encounter but could not find a way past Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

The outcome has left Slovakia in second place in Group C, two points adrift of pool leaders Spain.

The Spaniards scraped a 1-0 win over Macedonia in Skopje on Tuesday.

Ukraine remain in third place, two points adrift of Slovakia with two games remaining.

Slovakia were looking to bounce back from a 2-0 reverse in Spain at the weekend, their only loss in qualifying.

Ukraine had already guaranteed a play-off berth after beating Belarus at the weekend.

The visitors, without suspended midfielder Denys Garmash, had the first chance of the game in the 10th minute but Yevhen Konoplyanka saw his right-footed shot from 12 yards fly wide.

Seven minutes later, Marek Hamsik almost put the home side ahead when he drilled in a right-footed shot from outside the area that Piatov tipped over for a corner.

Early in the second half, Pyatov made a good save with Juraj Kucka's right-footed strike heading for the far post.

Ukraine could have broken the deadlock in the 74th minute after Ruslan Rotan fed Artem Kravets in the area but his right-footed shot went wide.

The visitors had another chance four minutes from time. Yaroslav Rakitskiy found space just outside the area and hit a left-footed shot towards the near post that was saved by Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik.

Slovakia host Belarus on October 9 and end their qualifying campaign at Luxembourg three days later.

Ukraine, meanwhile, play Macedonia next but host defending champions Spain in their last qualifier on Oct. 12.