Shams come back late.
A mad final ten minutes saw Shamrock Rovers come from behind to leave The Showgrounds with a point on Saturday evening.
There were errors at both ends in the late stages of the game leading to the two goals, but most would acknowledge that a point was a fair result.
The Bit O’Red went ahead on 82 minutes, as Alan Mannus somehow misjudged Walter Figueira’s shot.
Six minutes later, the sides were level as Rory Gaffney’s goalward shot was helped into the net by Rovers’ John Mahon.
Liam Buckley made just one change to the side that beat Longford Town the previous week, with Walter Figueira coming in for David Cawley.
His side were unbeaten coming into this fixture, with two wins and a draw in their opening three games.
The Hoops had only played twice prior to their Showgrounds visit, with their postponed bout against Derry City now due to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).
Stephen Bradley’s side are tipped by many to retain their league silverware this season, although it is too early to tell whether that seems likely or not.
The Dubliners started strongly with intent. Graham Burke’s dangerous effort was forced away by the right hand of Ed McGinty with just two minutes on the clock.
Had the league champions capitalised on their strong start it may have been a different story, but the hosts settled well into the game.
Former Hoop Greg Bolger got on the end of a ball from Figueira to muster up Rovers’ first shot of the evening which Mannus saved comfortably.
On the cusp of half-time, Rovers were awarded a free-kick just on the edge of the box.
Robbie McCourt, who has taken responsibility for set pieces so far this season, just sent it wide of the target.
It would have been an ideal time to score, but with both sides defending well in the first-half, it was probably going to take an error to get an opening goal at some stage.
Liam Buckley brought on fresh legs at half-time, with Ryan De Vries replacing Johnny Kenny, who worked hard in the opening 45 minutes but through no fault of his own saw little of the ball.
Jordan Gibson’s crossing has been a major weapon in Rovers’ arsenal this season, and his cross on 54 minutes almost found Figueira at the far post, but the angle was too tight.
The visitors were protesting around the hour mark as they felt the ball touched a Rovers hand in the box when Chris McCann started his charge towards goal.
Referee Derek Tomney disagreed, much to the dismay of all in green and white.
Sean Hoare made up for his mistake later, when following his dispossession at the feet of Gibson, he blocked the eventual Rovers cross into the box,
Stephen Bradley left it late to make changes, bringing on Rory Gaffney and Sean Gannon with just 12 minutes left.
Out of nothing, on 82 minutes, the hosts went ahead.
A long range effort from former Waterford and Derry City man Figueira didn’t look powerful enough to trouble the experienced Mannus in the Shamrock Rovers goals.
But somehow, despite Mannus diving to save the shot, it trickled underneath his body and into the back of the net.
Celebrations were delayed by a millisecond due to the sheer disbelief, but Rovers were looking in a good position to earn all three points.
That goal, however, seemed to wake Shamrock Rovers up as they launched an onslaught on the Rovers rearguard in the final few minutes in an attempt to get something from the game in the dying stages.
Just seconds after Rovers taking the lead, McGinty had to make a strong save from Danny Mandriou’s effort before a header from Lee Grace was just wide of the post.
It was all systems go from the Dubliners as Rovers tried to reorganise themselves.
With just two minutes left on the clock, Rory Gaffney’s shot was headed goalwards but was helped along its way by the leg of John Mahon, who in an attempt to clear it just turned it into the net, although there was little he could do to keep it out.
Their work wasn’t done yet, as McGinty had to punch Sean Kavanagh’s cross clear, with Gaffney heading wide.
In the circumstances, Rovers were left disappointed that they could not hang on for all three points, but in hindsight it is a good point.
The Bit O’Red remain unbeaten after four games and will be hoping to retain their impressive start to the season this weekend, but it won’t be an easy one.
Liam Buckley’s side will host high-fliers Finn Harps at The Showgrounds on Saturday night.
A 94th minute Dave Webster goal saw Harps pick up their third victory of the season.
They are currently second in the table, behind Pats on goal difference only.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Colm Horgan, John Mahon, Garry Buckley, Robbie McCourt; Jordan Gibson, Greg Bolger, Niall Morahan, Walter Figueira, Romeo Parkes, Johnny Kenny (Ryan De Vries, 46).
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus, Lee Grace, Sean Hoare, Liam Scales, Sean Kavanagh, Ronan Finn (Sean Gannon, 78), Danny Mandriou, Dylan Watts, Chris McCann, Graham Burke (Rory Gaffney), Aaron Greene.
Referee: Derek Tomney.