Sligo Rovers survived the sending-off of centre back Matthew Hare two minutes into the second half to frustrate Cork City at Turners Cross yesterday. Sligo's 10 men were given inspiration by goalkeeper Nick Brujos as they succeeded in denying Cork the winning goal that would have helped their championship cause.

Instead, the home side were left to rue the fact that they have drawn the last six league matches and have seen their championship hopes gradually slip away.

A disappointed Cork manager, Dave Barry, summed it up when he said: "We are not prepared to concede anything this early, but it is disappointing to lose two more points today. We had enough of the ball to have won."

Also disappointed was the large attendance for they saw the excellence of a bright and entertaining first half lost with the departure of Hare. He left referee Jimmy O'Neill with no option but to flash the red card after a late challenge on Cork centre forward Jason Kabia that left the striker stretched on the ground with a leg injury that forced his departure.

The first half had produced some outstanding football with Sligo playing their part and showing plenty of ambition by taking the lead after just four minutes when Sean Flannery scored with a shot from 20 yards which goalkeeper Noel Mooney failed to hold.

Cork's equaliser came after 43 minutes and it was one of the high points of the afternoon. An excellent move involving five players ended with Ollie Cahill crossing from the left wing for Noel Hartigan to score with a right foot shot at the far post.

Cork City: Mooney, Daly, Coughlan, cronin, Long, O'Brien, Flanagan, Barry Murphy, Cahill, Hartigan, Kabia. Subs: Caulfield for Kabia (51 mins); Napier for Long (67 mins).

Sligo Rovers: Brujos, Morgan, Birks, Hare, Hutchison, Hallows, Reid, Ogden, Rowlands, Moran, Flannery. Sub: Cobussen for Flannery (74 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).