Slovenian Football Cup champions Celje will enter a two-legged knockout phase play-off in February in a bid to make the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League after they were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Irish side Shelbourne on home turf on 18 December.

Celje entered the last round of the league phase of the third-tier European football competition with three wins and two losses. Only a win would have kept alive their hopes of a top-eight finish and thus a direct ticket to the round of 16.

Despite dominating possession and registering 23 attempts on goal, they could not break down a resolute Shelbourne defence and finished the league phase in 13th place among 36 teams with ten points. Shelbourne finished 34th, having already been headed for elimination before the match in Celje.

The home team manager Albert Riera was forced to show a lot of ingenuity roster-wise due to injuries and suspensions, but his side still controlled proceedings. The hosts’ best chance fell to Ivica Vidović shortly after the break, but his close-range effort was blocked.

Goalkeeper Žan-Luk Leban also had to be alert, producing a vital one-on-one save against John Martin to prevent a shock defeat.

“The only thing missing was a goal,” Riera said after the match. “We are not as fresh as in previous months, but we played a good game. We must admit we had chances and didn’t take them, but this has still been the best year in the club’s history. We have improved significantly in Europe,” the former Spanish international added.

Celje will discover their opponents for the two-legged knockout round play-offs during the draw on 16 January. The games are scheduled for 19 and 26 February.