Rovers stabilise after their stutter

Away point against Bohs ends sequence of successive defeats

AIRTRICITY League leaders Sligo Rovers’ 0-0 draw in their Premier Division game against Bohemians at Dalymount Park  on Friday was seen by assistant manager Gerry Carr as a “positive performance after a couple of blips”.

The result leaves the Bit 0’Red six points clear at the top because while second-placed St Patrick’s Athletic beat Monaghan 4-0, reigning champions Shamrock Rovers, currently third, could only draw 1-1 with Cork City.

Rovers’ result should also probably be seen as a point gained rather than two lost because they went into the match with depleted resources.

Joseph Ndo, Iarlaith Davoren and Romuald Boco were still absent and were joined on this occasion by team captain Danny Ventre.

Gerry Carr said that their situation on Friday night with key players missing and a very inexperienced bench highlighted the need for them to strengthen their squad.

he felt they could have won the game. “We had two or three good chances.” One of those was the first real chance of the game in the 17th minute when a clever ball from Danny North put in Pascal Millien,

a busy presence throughout, but his shot was straight at the home goalkeeper Craig Sexton.

But Bohs had the best two chances of the remainder of the half. Rovers goalkeeper Gary Rogers was called on to save from Karl Moore and the same player shot wide when put through just before half time.

Rovers upped their game in the second-half and Mark Quigley began to get on the ball more. he had two shots off-target before putting Millien through but the Bohs netminder again kept him out.

Sexton was again the Bohs savior in the 63rd minute when Quigley and John Dillon combined to set up a chance for Lee Lynch.

But things changed when Jason McGuinness was sent off in the 79^th minute for a second yellow card.

The home side began to make their numerical advantage count and Rovers were on the defensive. But Gary Rogers produced a good save from David Mulcahy in what was the only real chance with five minutes to go.

Gerry Carr felt it was a positive performance. “We kept a clean sheet and we played a hell of a lot of good football. We didn’t score but sometimes things just don’t happen and you have to put it behind you and get on with it.”

he said they now had a chance to recharge the batteries over the next couple of weeks and hopefully get everyone back fit again for the resumption of the campaign against Monaghan United at The Showgrounds on June 23.

Carr acknowledged that to be six points up at this stage was a terrific situation to be in. “At the start of the season we would have been happy to be within three points of the lead so to be six points clear is great. But we won’t be resting on our laurels when the season resumes.”

SlIgo Rovers (v Bohemians): Gary Rogers, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Ross Gaynor, John Dillon (Marty Owens 92), Pascal Millien (Jake Dykes 82), Lee Lynch, Rafaele Cretaro, David Cawley, Mark Quigley, Danny North

SubS (not used): Ben McGarry, Liam Martin, Mark McGoldrick, Richard Brush.

Category: Sport