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

Sligo Rovers 0 - St Patrick's Athletic 0

St Pat's went two points clear at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division after a scoreless draw with Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

John Dillon and Ryan Guy had the best chances for either side at the end of the first half, but neither team impressed in a dire encounter.

Sligo were without the suspended Alan Keane and Gary McCabe, as well as the injured Matthew Blinkhorn. Derek Pender remained an injury absentee for Pat's, who opted to start with Vinny Faherty as a lone striker.

A scrappy opening quarter saw both sides show signs of rustiness following the mid-season break. It was no surprise that the best chance of the period came from a mistake, as a bad clearance from Pat's keeper Gary Rogers only reached Joseph Ndo, who tried to send it back over the keeper's head but missed the target.

Rovers had a couple of better chances at the start of the second quarter when Dillon tested Rogers with a shot from outside the area, and John Russell fired wide from inside the box after the home side opened up their guests.

But the Saints almost opened the scoring on 32 minutes when Guy broke down the right before turning inside and seeing his left-foot shot tipped over the crossbar by Richard Brush.

Dillon went close again before the break when he fired narrowly over the top from directly outside the Pat's box.

The second half deteriorated in quality, with the only chance of note in the first 20 minutes falling to Eoin Doyle, who could only direct a Gavin Peers cross wide from inside the box.

The Saints had plenty of possession in the Sligo half, but Rovers - who introduced defender Derek Foran at half-time - dealt comfortably with everything the visitors offered.

Faherty continued to lead the line on his own up front and his frustrations began to show as he was booked for a foul on Davoren.

Pete Mahon opted to introduce former Sligo winger Brian Cash and striker Paul Byrne after this, but neither side could create an opening in the final minutes.

© rte.ie

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Sligo Rovers 0 - St Patrick's Athletic 0

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