BOTTOM-SIDE SLIGO Rovers reduced the gap to Drogheda in ninth to five points after a scoreless draw with Waterford at the Showgrounds on Friday night.
But with eight games to go, that result does little to improve Sligo’s survival hopes, having not won a league game since 22 May.
That point extends Waterford’s unbeaten league run to seven league games, with Graham Coughlan’s side still six points off the bottom.
In a first half that lacked real quality, both sides had their chances to go ahead.
Cian Kavanagh, who has hit form in recent weeks, saw his effort from close range blocked by Kevin Long, before goalkeeper Stephen McMullan was perfectly placed to hold onto Luke Pearce’s shot from inside the box after Kavanagh selflessly teed him up.
Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan had chances for Waterford, with the latter firing straight at Gareth McElroy inside the box.
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Both sides served up some of the same after the restart, although Darren Purse’s men did enjoy a period of dominance inside the Waterford half.
A super save by former Waterford goalkeeper Sam Sargeant denied Conan Noonan on the hour mark when the former Shamrock Rovers man fired at goal from a tricky angle.
But Sargeant palmed the effort away, and Rovers had Waterford under pressure for a brief period.
Their best opportunity arrived on 67 minutes when Hayden Cann tripped Kavanagh on the edge of the box.
Substitute Archie Meekison cleverly swung his free around the wall, and McMullan brilliantly got a hand behind the ball to push it wide.
The visitors pushed hard to find a winner late on, but both sides had to settle for a point in the end, a result that will probably be more welcome to the visitors than the home side, who desperately needed a win.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham (Archie Meekison, 46), Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart, Luke Young, Carl McHugh, Jack Shorrock (Trey George, 79), Alex Nolan, Luke Pearce (Kaiyne Woolery, 62), Cian Kavanagh.
Waterford: Stephen McMullan, John Mahon, Hayden Cann (Blair McKenzie, 70), Kevin Long, Benny Couto, Evan McLaughlin, Noah Mawene (Dean McMenamy, 74), Jordan Houston, Conan Noonan, Padraig Amond, Tommy Lonergan.
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Waterford draw does little for Sligo's survival hopes
Sligo Rovers 0
Waterford 0
Jessica Farry reports from The Showgrounds
BOTTOM-SIDE SLIGO Rovers reduced the gap to Drogheda in ninth to five points after a scoreless draw with Waterford at the Showgrounds on Friday night.
But with eight games to go, that result does little to improve Sligo’s survival hopes, having not won a league game since 22 May.
That point extends Waterford’s unbeaten league run to seven league games, with Graham Coughlan’s side still six points off the bottom.
In a first half that lacked real quality, both sides had their chances to go ahead.
Cian Kavanagh, who has hit form in recent weeks, saw his effort from close range blocked by Kevin Long, before goalkeeper Stephen McMullan was perfectly placed to hold onto Luke Pearce’s shot from inside the box after Kavanagh selflessly teed him up.
Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan had chances for Waterford, with the latter firing straight at Gareth McElroy inside the box.
Both sides served up some of the same after the restart, although Darren Purse’s men did enjoy a period of dominance inside the Waterford half.
A super save by former Waterford goalkeeper Sam Sargeant denied Conan Noonan on the hour mark when the former Shamrock Rovers man fired at goal from a tricky angle.
But Sargeant palmed the effort away, and Rovers had Waterford under pressure for a brief period.
Their best opportunity arrived on 67 minutes when Hayden Cann tripped Kavanagh on the edge of the box.
Substitute Archie Meekison cleverly swung his free around the wall, and McMullan brilliantly got a hand behind the ball to push it wide.
The visitors pushed hard to find a winner late on, but both sides had to settle for a point in the end, a result that will probably be more welcome to the visitors than the home side, who desperately needed a win.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Seb Quirk, Ollie Denham (Archie Meekison, 46), Gareth McElroy, Sean Stewart, Luke Young, Carl McHugh, Jack Shorrock (Trey George, 79), Alex Nolan, Luke Pearce (Kaiyne Woolery, 62), Cian Kavanagh.
Waterford: Stephen McMullan, John Mahon, Hayden Cann (Blair McKenzie, 70), Kevin Long, Benny Couto, Evan McLaughlin, Noah Mawene (Dean McMenamy, 74), Jordan Houston, Conan Noonan, Padraig Amond, Tommy Lonergan.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
First Division results:
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Graham Coughlan LOI Soccer Stalemate Sligo Rovers Waterford United