Rovers held by Finn Harps

SLIGO ROVERS FINN HARPS 0 0 RAFFAELE Cretaro missed an injury time penalty as Sligo Rovers were held to a 0- 0 draw by Finn Harps at The Showgrounds on Tuesday evening.

The result sees Finn Harps move five points clear of Wexford Youths in the relegation play- off spot.

It could very well have been a victory for Ollie Horgan’s side had they made the most of their early second- half chances, but Rovers prevailed. Dave Robertson made three changes to the side that drew 0- 0 with St. Patrick’s Athletic mid- week.

Michael Leahy was missing through suspension, while Gavin Peers was suffering with injury. Kieran Sadlier dropped to the bench while Daniel Kearns, Raffaele Cretaro and John Russell all took their places in the starting eleven.

Ollie Horgan, on the other hand, made five changes to his side that lost to Galway United.

Harps came into this game on the back of nine consecutive defeats, a run of form which would need to be ended should they move further away from the danger zone.

Former Rovers man Ruairi Keating had the game’s first chance, when he was played in by Sean Houston, but in acres of space he sent the ball well over Ciaran Nugent’s goal.

Harps were forced into a change after 25 minutes, as Ruairi Keating was struggling with injury, thought to be ankle ligaments.

Midfielder Pat McCann tried his luck on 34 minutes following a cross from Achille Campion, but his effort curled wide of the mark.

Ciaran Nugent was called into action when Gareth Harkin’s free kick sailed towards his goal, but the American opted to punch it clear in acres of space, with the clearance falling to a Harps player, but luckily the linesman’s flag had been raised.

The Bit o’Red really should have taken the lead just before half- time, as Kearn’s cross fell to Campion who only needed to force it over the line, but goalkeeper Richard Brush made a decent save to clear the danger.

Rovers again thought they had taken the lead just before half- time. Campion sent Cretaro through on goal, and while his shot just trickled wide of the mark, referee Derek Tomney had already blown the whistle for a free as a result of Campion’s challenge on Damien McNulty.

Both sides continued to look for the opener as the second half began, but it was Harps who started strongest.

Within the space of 60 seconds, they were denied three times by last ditch Rovers defending.

An excellent point black save from Nugent in goals, and goal- line clearances from Tobi Adebayo- Rowling and Liam Martin kept Rovers in the game, but Harps were left to rue these opportunities.

On 90 minutes, Rovers were handed a lifeline. Referee Derek Tomney pointed to the spot, albeit somewhat harshly, when Ethan Boyle was adjudged to have fouled Craig Roddan in the area. Raff Cretaro was the man to take the spot- kick, and he blasted his penalty over Richard Brush’s bar.

Rovers’ goal drought continues, having not scored since the end of August.

Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Nugent, Tobi Adebayo- Rowling, Pat McCann, Gary Boylan, Craig Roddan, Raffaele Cretaro, Achille Campion, John Russell, Jimmy Keohane, Liam Martin, Daniel Kearns ( Kieran Sadlier, 66).

Subs not used: Regan Donelon, Phil Roberts, Paul Doyle, Mark Hannon, Mikey Place, Jason Hunt.

Finn Harps: Richard Brush, Barry Molloy, Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Gareth Harkin, Michael Funston, Ruairi Keating ( RyanCurran, 25), Packie Mailey, Adam Hanlon ( Tony McNamee, 72), Ethan Boyle, Sean Houston.

Subs not used: Ciaran Gallagher, Tommy McMonagle, Mark Coyle, BJ Banda.