Rovers move six points clear at top

SHAMROCK ROVERS moved six points clear at the top of the Premier Division as they came from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw with Derry City at Tallaght Stadium last night.

Both sides finished with 10 men as Sean Hoare and, in injury time, former Rovers defender Danny Lafferty saw red for second bookings.

Ruadhri Higgins’ Candystripes had taken an early second-half lead as Will Patching scored from the spot after Hoare had fouled James Akintunde.

Rory Gaffney’s equaliser earned a point for Stephen Bradley’s side.

The first half was relatively short on action as a pitch heavy from sustained rain in south Dublin made free-flowing football difficult for both sides.

Graham Burke did manage to work Derry keeper Nathan Gartside with a shot from range, while sub Sean Gannon should have opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time but Gartside again denied him.

Derry hit the front four minutes after the restart as they were awarded a penalty when

Hoare clumsily bundled over Akintunde.

Patching took the resulting spot-kick and sent Alan Mannus the wrong way with a low shot right in the corner.

Rovers were level seven minutes later. Liam Scales picked out Gaffney with a quick throw.

The striker still had work to do to hold off Cameron McJannet, but he dug out a fine finish.

Hoare was dismissed for his second booking seven minutes from time, and Lafferty joined him in the dying moments of the game.

sHAMrOcK rOVErs: Alan Mannus; Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Ronan Finn, Dylan Watts (Sean Gannon 23), Gary O’Neill, Liam Scales; Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney (Aidomo Emakhu 88), Daniel Mandroiu (Dean Williams 71).

DErrY ciTY: Nathan Gartside; Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll; Ronan Boyce, Aaron Harkin, Will Patching, Joe Thomson (Darren Cole 72), Daniel Lafferty; James Akintunde (Marc Walsh 77), David Parkhouse (William Fitzgerald 65). rEfErEE: Graham Kelly.