Sligo Rovers 0 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

Sligo Rovers have reduced the gap between third and first to six points following a scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday evening.

The Bit O’Red had a host of chances, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing former player Richard Brush save a penalty from David McMillan.

Sligo got off to a bright start when they almost created the opening opportunity of the game when Kieran Djilali tried to play Raffaele Cretaro through on goal but a last ditch interception from Conor McCormack cut out the pass.

Another impressive move for the home side resulted in the game’s first opportunity when David McMillan nodded a cross down for Lee Lynch but the midfielder scuffed his effort as he directed it harmlessly towards Richard Brush.

Sean O’Connor looked to add to his collection of outstanding goals this season after 15 minutes when he attempted to a curl a ball into the back of the net from an angle, but Gary Rogers saw it all the way as he plucked it out of the air.

Seamus Conneely should have broken the deadlock after 23 minutes when a pass from Evan McMillan picked out the midfielder in the box who blazed over from close range.

Moments later, Kieran Djilali went close with a stinging shot that Richard Brush unable to hold but he was able to react quick enough to claim the ball on second attempt before a Sligo player could reach it.

Joseph Ndo came agonisingly close to scoring in spectacular fashion when his free-kick caught everyone before striking the foot of the near post. It looked set to beat the ‘keeper had it been on target.

Just minutes into the second half, Sligo Rovers were awarded a penalty when Evan McMillan was bundled over in the box. His brother David stepped up but was unable to convert his seventh spot-kick of the season as Brush guessed correctly to deny the striker.

The Hoops began to grow in confidence following this and put together their best move of the game as Conor Powell and Gary McCabe linked up well together down the left before eventually crossing for Karl Sheppard who failed to guide his header on target.

Approaching the hour mark the home side struck the woodwork again when Raffaele Cretaro sent David McMillan through on goal but his effort struck the post.

Danny North was introduced to the game after 67 minutes and within two minutes he almost scored with a sensational strike when he turned on the edge of the box, but this produced the save of the night from Brush as he tipped it over the bar.

An powerful Iarfhlaith Davoren strike from distance caused Brush to spill the ball again, but he was also able to react quickly again to claim the ball on second attempt before the on rushing Danny North could poke the ball loose ball into an open goal.

Ronan Finn could have claimed three points in the dying minutes of this fixture when he found himself in acres of space on the edge of the box, but the midfielder was unable to get any real power behind his shot as Rogers easily gathered the ball.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Evan McMillan, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Seamus Conneely, Joseph Ndo, Lee Lynch (Danny North, 67), Raffaele Cretaro, Kieran Djilali; David McMillan (Ross Gaynor, 74, (Anthony Elding, 85)).
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Jeff Henderson, Ryan Connolly, Liam Martin.

Bookings: Davoren (14), E McMillan (49), Djilali (60), Peers (83).

Shamrock Rovers: Richard Brush; Conor McCormack, Jason McGuinness, Ken Oman, Conor Powell; Sean O’Connor (Billy Dennehy, 88), Ronan Finn, Stephen Rice, Shane Robinson; Mark Quigley (Gary McCabe, 21), Karl Sheppard (Eamon Zayed, 82).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy,  Derek Foran, Danny Ledwith, James Chambers.

Bookings: Rice (22), Oman (33), McGuinness (49), McCormack (81), Powell (83).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 2,840.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gavin Peers (Sligo Rovers).