St Pat's hold Rovers at bay with scoreless draw

Sligo Rovers 0 St Patrick’s Athletic 0

St Patrick’s regained their two-point lead at the top of the table as they put the brakes on free-scoring Sligo’s home form.

Sligo had scored 11 goals in their previous two home league games as well as recording a 4-1 EA Sports Cup quarter-final win over Saints.

But there would be no repeat as St Pat’s defended well and had the better chances throughout the game.

John Dillon and John Russell had early openings for Sligo before home keeper Richard Brush made the stop of the first half when tipping over Ryan Guy’s superbly struck shot just past the half hour mark.

Rovers’ Danny Ventre then did well to get his body in the way of another Guy shot right on the blow of the break, seconds after Dillon had wasted Rovers’ best chance when shooting over the bar.

St Pat’s striker Vinny Faherty had the clearest opening of the second half on 81 minutes when latching onto a Brush kickout that was charged down.

But the ball got stuck under his feet just yards out and Rovers’ defender Gavin Peers got back to clear.