SAO PAULO, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo missed the chance to close the gap on Brazilian Serie A leaders Palmeiras when they were held to a goalless home draw by Atletico Paranaense on Saturday.

The hosts had less than a third of possession as they sat back in the hope of hitting Atletico on the counterattack. But Diego Aguirre's team managed just four shots on target from 12 attempts.

The visitors were even less effective, with Tricolor goalkeeper Jean required to stop only one of their seven efforts on goal.

The result left six-time champions Sao Paulo fourth in the 20-team standings, six points behind Palmeiras, who have a game in hand.

In other matches on Saturday, America Mineiro drew 1-1 at home to Gremio, Bahia won 1-0 at Botafogo and Sport Recife won 2-1 at home to Vasco da Gama.