Shamrock Rovers 1 Bohemians 1: Sligo Rovers remain top of the Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division after Shamrock Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw in Tallaght by Dublin rivals Bohemians.
Two points adrift of Sligo, the champions have a game in hand over their title rivals, but they could yet rue late missed chances from Ciaran Kilduff and Billy Dennehy as they failed to put away 10-man Bohs.
Aidan Downes was harshly dismissed in the 44th minute when he received his second yellow card for simulation after seemingly being barged over in the box by Pat Sullivan.
Rovers had taken the lead 13 minutes earlier when Dennehy’s corner was headed home by Dan Murray. It had been an unconvincing opening half hour from the homeside but there were signs of cohesion in the few minutes prior to the goal.
They were thankful, however, when Killian Brennan’s sublime free was tipped on to the post by Richard Brush in the build-up to Downes’s sending off.
Bohs equalised on the hour when Glen Cronin netted Anto Flood’s pull-back after the winger did superbly to curl his ball around Murray.
Michael O’Neill introduced Rohan Rickets for Gary O’Neill soon afterwards and the new man brought a bit of impetus to the Rovers attack, but Kilduff just failed to convert his low cross.
Dennehy was booked for seeking a penalty minutes later as Rovers grew desperate, but Chris Turner had a case when he appeared to be pushed in the box by Liam Burns in the 88th minute.
Kilduff had already headed narrowly wide of Brian Murphy’s goal by then and the last chance fell to Dennehy, who blazed his effort over the bar from 10 yards when under pressure.
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