IT’S NEVER ROVER UNTIL IT’S ROVER
Sligo so close to beating champions who won’t lie down
SLIGO ROVERS paid the price for poking the bear as champions Shamrock Rovers scrambled a late point at the Showgrounds.
But Liam Buckley feels his pretenders to the throne can liven up the title race if they hang tough.
“They’re the benchmark after going unbeaten last year. If you can stay ahead of them, you’ll win it,” said the Bit O’red boss who was gutted to squander a gifted lead.
Rory Gaffney’s 88th minute effort cannoned off Bit O’red defender John Mahon and cancelled out Walter Figueira’s opener six minutes earlier. The hosts were gift wrapped that lead after a rare Alan Mannus blunder when the normally safe-as-houses keeper spilled a low ball over his line at the near post.
“I’m a bit frustrated as we had enough chances in the second half to win two games,” said Rovers boss Stephen Bradley.
“We never looked in any danger and some of our play was really good. We created three or four really good chances and on another day we win by a couple of goals.”
The Hoops signalled early intent with Graham Burke forcing a second minute save from Ed Mcginty.
But if fans from either side were expecting the game to continue in an all out attacking vein, they were disappointed.
Scoring opportunities were limited but it was an engrossing tactical battle. Ex-hoop Greg Bolger relished the battle against his former club and went close with the host’s first chance midway through the half but Mannus denied him.
And Mcginty was always behind Lee Grace’s headed effort from a Danny Mandroiu corner while Robbie Mccourt’s free-kick down the other was always rising.
As good as the champions were in possession, they still lacked the spark in the final third to unlock a stubborn home defence.
When they got into threatening positions, the Bit O’red lacked composure but, with Bolger driving them on, they were tenacious in other departments.
And they kept the Hoops at arms length before landing a killer blow late on.
Figueira low shot from the edge of the area squirmed through Mannus’ grasp and over the line.
But with Gaffney off the bench, Rovers were riled and responded with a determined show of force.
Danny Mandroiu and Gaffney both went close before the sub striker bagged his equaliser and then squandered an even later close range chance to win it.