Keith Long disappointed to be pegged back twice by Sligo Rovers

Alex Dunne reporting from Dalymount Park

A 2-2 draw against Sligo Rovers on Friday night was a disappointing result for Bohemians manager Keith Long, as he felt his side's superiority was “clear for all to see.”

Twice Bohs struck through a fantastic curling effort from Eoghan Stokes and an Ian Morris header, only to be pegged back with two replies from David Cawley and Adam Morgan.

As late chances to win the game went a begging for the home side, Long was frustrated that they couldn't have come away with what would have already been a crucial three points.

“I'm disappointed with the result because I think the performance was there,” Long told extratime.ie.

“It was clear for all to see.

“I don't think we've been a million miles away in previous games, obviously we've come out the wrong side of the slimmest of margins, 1-0, in the previous three games, and that's been disappointing. We haven't been playing too bad.

“We've a squad in it’s infancy, lots of young players, lots of new players coming in. This team will evolve; it will get better as it goes.

“We're pleased tonight with the chances we created, and we're unlucky not to win the game.”

Stokes' strike, a fantastic curling effort to the far top corner from the right of the box, was the first time Bohs had scored first this season.

But both of the Sligo strikes came from set pieces – a corner and a free kick from wide, both delivered by Rhys McCabe – an area of the game the Gypsies usually excel at, and Long was disappointed in the manner of conceding.

“I don't think Sligo had to work hugely for their goals,” Long admitted.

“They're two set plays, and we don't do enough – we take pride in ourselves at set play time.

“But overall I'm pleased with the effort of the players and the performance, we created quite a number of chances, took two, and been unlucky not to win the game.”

The Phibsboro club travel down to Turner's Cross on Monday afternoon to take on the Champions, and with the stress of so many early season games taking its toll firmly on Long's mind, he has emphasised their focus over the weekend will be on recovery and physical preparation, not on Cork City.

“We cram a lot of games into the first part of the season for whatever reason,” he noted.

“The pitches are very heavy this time of year; it does take its toll on the players.

“But we've got a full squad and we've got to try and look at it now, recover as best we can.

“Obviously there's very little preparation we can do from the tactical perspective, we've just got to make sure we sleep well, we eat well, we hydrate well, and make sure that our recovery is as best as it possibly can be.

“Hopefully we can go down to Cork and give a good account of ourselves. They're the champions, obviously there'll be a big crowd down in Turner's Cross on Monday, it's a bank holiday, a 3pm kick off, and hopefully we can bring a good travelling support to get behind the team like they did tonight.”