Despite the best efforts of both sides, neither 1. FSV Mainz 05 or Hamburger SV could break the deadlock in their tussle.
Hamburg further cemented their place in mid-table with the draw, though it did no favours for Mainz's European aspirations.
Level at the break
HSV began by hassling and harrying Mainz to try and force them to fire the ball long, which was working well initially. However, once the hosts did get moving they managed to forge a good chance through Karim Onisiwo; he was denied by Jaroslav Drobny, though.
The visitors responded through Johan Djourou, with the Swiss defender seeing his header parried round the post by Loris Karius. Daniel Brosinski also came close only for his drive to curl narrowly wide. In a half that had few chances and plenty of hefty tackles, both teams were happy to hear the half-time whistle.
Deadlock can't be broken
Bruno Labbadia's side came out stronger following the interval and a huge chance fell their way. A long ball forward wasn't dealt with by Niko Bungert and that allowed Sven Schipplock to race through on goal, although Karius produced a stunning save when it looked almost certain that his side would fall behind.
That seemed to spur the hosts into life and they began to rain shots down on the HSV goal. Onisiwo volleyed straight at Drobny before the Czech stopper tipped over a strong shot from Pablo de Blasis on the edge of the area. The resulting corner fell for Danny Latza, whose curling effort was clawed out of the top corner.
The final opportunity fell to Mainz and was their best of the game. They sliced through HSV and de Blasis managed to work space to slide the ball back towards Jhon Cordoba, though the Colombian fired wide and that was that. Hamburg remain 11th, while Mainz drop to 7th. A win would have taken them within a point of fourth.