Leaders Sligo held by Mahon’s Saints

SLIGO ROVERS moved two points clear in the Airtricity Premier League following a scoreless draw at the Showgrounds.

Neither side created clear-cut chances in the first half with only Joseph Ndo providing the entertainment with some excellent skill, twisting and turning his way around Shane McFaul and Dave Mulcahy. Soon after, he kept the crowd cheerful with a fantastic back heel flick.

Sligo’s first real chance came when Ndo released Alan Kirby down the left who crossed for Matthew Blinkhorn only for Gary Rogers to nick it away.

Pat’s weren’t without their own threats though with Danny North going close twice only to come up shy. But in truth Sligo dominated proceedings and only for excellent last-ditch defending by Jason McGuinness and Derek Pender, Daryl Kavanagh and Eoin Doyle would have put Sligo two up.

Piling on the pressure the Bit O’Red had their best chance on 63 minutes when fantastic build-up play led to Alan Kirby’s swinging effort going just wide.

Pete Mahon’s men were all back defending, except Ian Daly. They looked dangerous on the counter attack and Mulcahy flew forward but the long leg of McGuinness caught the ball and took it off the former Bray Wanderers player. As the clock ticked towards full-time, Sligo pushed to get ahead but were almost caught when Stephen Bradley and Daly combined but Gavin Peers blocked the effort.

SLIGO ROVERS: B Clarke, A Greene, G Peers, J McGuinness, A Keane, A Kirby (J Russell, 77), J Ndo, R Ryan, R Cretaro (J Dillon, 59), E Doyle, M Blinkhorn (C Powell, 58).

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: G Rogers, D Pender, I Bermingham, C Kenna (B Shortall, 69), S Guthrie, D Mulcahy, S McFaul, A Murphy (D McMillan 72), S Bradley, D Kavanagh (I Daly, 76), D North.

Referee: D Hancock.