Auxerre dropped to second-from-bottom in Ligue 1 after an inspired performance by St Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier ensured the game finished goalless.
Ruffier single-handedly denied Laurent Fournier's side in the first half with the hosts desperate to claim only their second victory in 13 games.
However, a draw was no disgrace given St Etienne have been on such good form, having won eight of 11 games coming into this match.
It was all Auxerre in the first half. Josua Guilavogui's poor pass was pounced on by Dennis Oliech who bore down on goal and unleashed a low shot towards the bottom right-hand corner only to be thwarted by Ruffier.
Dariusz Dudka's free-kick found Willy Boly whose goalbound header was saved down in the corner with Oliech the next to be denied.
Auxerre kept coming but again Ruffier got down to make a save from Edouard Cisse before St Etienne were themselves thwarted, Sylvain Marchal's close-range effort smothered by Olivier Sorin.
Dudka's attempt from distance was denied with Ruffier repelling Oliech, whose shot deflected off the keeper's back and the same player's left-footed shot was kept out on the stroke of half-time.
Auxerre did not have the same attacking threat after the break and instead it was St Etienne who showed.
Sorin blocked Faouzi Ghouli's long-range drive while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed slightly wide.
Guilavogui's volley was deflected away by the Auxerre defence and the game eventually petered out into a draw.
