Bari and Catania shared the points in a disappointing encounter at the Stadio San Nicola tonight.

Chances were at a premium as the two sides struggled on a difficult pitch, which has received plenty of criticism this season.

The closest either side came to scoring was when Vitali Kutuzov hit the post for Bari in the first half of a tight game.

Catania have yet to win a match all season, but their performance early on defied this record.

They arrived with a confident approach, surprising their hosts, who probably expected this to be an easy victory after they were able to draw 0-0 at AC Milan last weekend.

However, strikers Takayuki Morimoto and Giuseppe Mascara were unable to produce a good enough finish to the excellent build-up work, and the closest the Rosazzurro came to opening the scoring was with an effort from distance for Mariano Izco just shy of the half-hour mark.

Bari's coveted goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet was equal to the effort and pushed the shot wide.

The hosts weathered the storm for half an hour and then broke for the best chance of the game.

Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar made a hash of his clearance and placed the ball straight into the path of Kutuzov.

The Belarus international only had Andujar to beat, but he placed his shot from 12 yards against the inside of the post and the ball rebounded across the face of the goal and out of danger.

As the first half came to an end, Bari striker Barreto tested Andujar again and the Catania goalkeeper made a reflex save.

Barreto's game ended early in the second half when he was carried off the field. He tried to return after treatment, but he had clearly lost his sharpness and was removed with 15 minutes remaining.

Moments later, Bari had another chance to snatch victory with Riccardo Meggiorini taking the ball down perfectly from Emanuel Rivas' long ball forward, but with only Andujar to beat, he shot straight at the Catania goalkeeper.

The danger was not over as Meggiorini recovered the rebound wide left, but his cross was headed over the crossbar by Edgar Alvarez.

Bari looked for a winner, but were unable to break down a now packed Catania defence as the Sicilians tightened up for the point.

They frustrated the home side and their fans at the Stadio San Nicola to pick up their fourth draw of the season, although they remain inside the bottom three.

Bari move above AC Milan, Lazio and Roma into ninth position with their second successive goalless draw.