LOI CHAMPS ONLY DRAW

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VINNY PERTH’S first league game in charge of Dundalk ended in stalemate as Liam Buckley’s new-look Sligo Rovers did enough to leave Oriel Park with a point on Friday evening.

Last year’s double winners had a great opportunity to pull ahead in the 11th minute when Sligo goalkeeper Ed Mcginty clattered Robbie Benson in the penalty area.

The challenge brought the midfielder’s evening to a premature end but Mcginty, got down to save.

Benson, whose injury looked serious, was replaced by Sean Murray whose downward header bounced off the turf and flew over the bar soon after.

Sligo landed a sucker punch in the 43rd minute when Jack Keaney’s right-footed free squeezed inside Gary Rogers’ near post.

Parity was restored just four minutes after the restart when John Mountney chested a Dane Massey cross ball down for Hoban and his lay-off fell invitingly for Murray who made no mistake, rifling a sizzling effort into the bottom corner.

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FORMER Waterford player Ethan Boyle (above) secured Shamrock Rovers a last-gasp opening night win at a throbbing RSC.

Kevin Lynch’s sumptuous free-kick gave the Blues a first-half lead but Rovers dominated the second half.

Aaron Greene’s equaliser seven minutes after the restart was fully deserved and Boyle completed the comeback in stoppage-time.

Before 4,152 fans, debutant Lynch gave the home crowd something to shout about on 22 minutes.

When Shane Duggan was tripped 25 yards out, the left-back stepped up to curl an exquisite free-kick over the wall and past of Alan Mannus.

Goalscorer Lynch then came to his side’s rescue by blocking Carr on the line.

But it didn’t take long after halftime for Rovers to level. Carr squaring for Greene to tap home.

Chances were traded, with Akinade and Aaron Mceneff going close but the late pressure finally told for the visitors when a corner from the right was turned in by right-full Boyle.