Waterford pick up another useful point as Sligo home drought continues

Sligo are without a home win since May

Waterford's form since Graham Coughlan took over has been astonishing. Pic: ©INPHO/Stephen Heaney

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 0 Waterford 0

Sligo Rovers and Waterford played out a stalemate at the Showgrounds in what was an entertaining relegation six-pointer.

Both sides had chances, although the visitors had the best of them and the result suits the Blues more than the Bit O'Red who now sit five off the rest of the pack.

In a contest between two teams with polar opposite form cards, it was the home side, without a league win since May, who created the first opening following an even and entertaining start.

Sligo's main threat Jack Shorrock was foiled by a last ditch tackle from Hayden Cann early on after he was played through by skipper Carl McHugh. While Waterford's experienced centre half Kevin Long charged down a laced half volley from Cian Kavanagh after Shorrock's searching cross just evaded Rovers' leaping Luke Pearce.

Shorrock was at it again on 25 minutes when he found space behind Jordan Houston. The Port Vale loanee's cross this time laid down by Kavanagh and onto the foot of Pearce. But the former Cardiff striker's full volley was batted away by Blues' net-minder Stephen McMullan.

Waterford's form has been nothing short of astonishing since Graham Coughlan took over.

Suffering just two defeats in their last ten following an atrocious start to the season, they have shot up the standings, picking up 11 points from their last five outings with the Munster side gathering wins recently against Bohs, Shels and Derry.

They had their first sight at goal on the half hour when Conan Noonan fired over after some defensive hesitation from the hosts. While Padraig Amond's header lacked the power of Benny Couto's cross on the stroke of half-time as the former Sligo striker headed into the hands of Sam Sargeant.

Manager Darren Purse made two changes from Rovers' cup win over Kerry last weekend with Pearce and Seb Quirk coming in for absent duo Jamie McGonigle and Jeannot Esua. While Coughlan did the same, with goalkeeper McMullan and top-scorer Tommy Lonergan returning having not started the cup win over Athlone.

Former blue Sargeant kept the game scoreless when he palmed over a Noonan snapshot on the hour.

Eight minutes later, McMullan pulled off a wonderful stop on his left hand at the far end, when he pushed away a swerving set-piece from Sligo sub Archie Meekison.

Both sides were keen to not come away without the full quota of points. Sligo change Kaiyne Woolery spurned a half-chance, while a brave challenge from Alex Nolan denied Noonan's goal-ward drive before Sargent landed on a Couto strike in added time.

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Quirk, Denham (Meekison HT), McElroy, Stewart; Young, McHugh; Shorrock (George 79), Alex Nolan; Pearce (Woolery 62), Kavanagh.

Waterford: McMullan; Long, Cann (McKenize 71), Mahon; Houston, Couto; Mawane (McMenamy 75), McLaughlin; Noonan, Amond, Lonergan.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 2,456.