Shamrock Rovers (0) - St Patrick's Athletic (0)

Match Report

Shamrock Rovers 0 - St Patrick's Athletic 0

Shamrock Rovers claimed another point in their fight to avoid the drop on Friday night, although they were fortunate to escape with a draw as the Saints had the better chances to claim a win at Dalymount Park.

Both these sides are struggling to find wins – three in their last 11 for Rovers, three in 12 for Pats – so it was perhaps unsurprising that they played out a draw here.

New-look Rovers probably had the better of the possession, but there was no denying that John McDonnell's Pats had the better opportunities take the points back to Inchicore.

In Rovers' first “home” game since the club was saved from going out of business last month, there was a party atmosphere at the Phibsboro venue.

But Saints, though Darragh Maguire and debutant striker Chris Armstrong, came close to spiking the punch.

Maguire's header moments before half-time forced Rovers keeper Barry Murphy into the latest in a string of exceptional saves which have been a real bonus for the club this year.

There would have been nothing Murphy could do late in the second half as Armstrong, the English striker signed by Saints this week, got on the end of a Sean O'Connor cross – but the striker screwed his shot over a gaping goal from close range.

Rovers also had their opportunities, but visiting keeper Barry Ryan was equal to everything they threw at him, and not even the arrival of Tony Sheridan, last week's match-winner in Bray, could fire the Hoops to a second straight win.

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