St Pat's hold Sligo to draw

Sligo Rovers 0 St. Patrick’s Athletic 0

Rock solid St. Patrick’s Athletic halted Sligo's four-match winning run with a battling display to take a point home from the Showgrounds.

Sligo did keep a ninth successive clean sheet against the side that last beat them at the end of May as they moved two points clear at the top of the table, though with a game more played than joint second-placed champions Shamrock Rovers.

Both sides now head off to the Ukraine next week for third qualifying round first leg games in the Europa League.

The teams cancelled each other out in midfield with chances at a premium.

Superb defending by Derek Pender thwarted Sligo’s topscorer Eoin Doyle in the home side's best opening of the first half.

St. Pat’s then had a chance just before the interval when Danny North shot into the side netting.

The second half was equally tight with Sligo creating the best opening when John Dillon set up Alan Kirby who shot just off target.