Real Madrid lose ground in Spanish title race after stalemate

Sergio Ramos sits dejected late in Madrid's draw with Bilbao [Courtesy]

Real Madrid were left to rue a series of near misses Sunday as they stumbled to a 0-0 home draw with Athletic Bilbao, dropping two points adrift of Barcelona in a tight Spanish title race.

Real also drew 0-0 in midweek at Barcelona but Sunday's result leaves Madrid on 37 points at the half-way stage of the season, two points off Barcelona who top the table on 39.