Sligo Rovers 2 Kildare County 2

Battling Rovers hit back to earn share of the spoils

By Michael Moran

Sligo Rovers .........2 Kildare County ..2

WHILE Sligo Rovers may have resolved matters off the pitch for the immediate future at least, the struggle to keep pace with the promotion contenders continues on it, following this two-all draw with high-flying Kildare County at the Showgrounds on Saturday night last.

The point gained from a lively and keenly contested affair remained insufficient to elevate Rovers from their mid-table position and with each passing week, the prospects of reviving a challenge to the First Division leaders begins to decrease.

In what was former Rovers manager Dermot Keely's last game in charge of the Thoroughbreds, given his appointment at Derry City, the home side twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils.

All the goals came in the second-half after Kildare had looked more fluent in their attacks, in contrast to Rovers more laboured approach.

Fair result

Kildare might have seized the initiative initially, but Rovers battled back and the draw was perhaps the most equitable outcome at the finish, though it took an 86th minute strike from substitute Andrew McLoughlin to ensure equality.

Rovers were forced to make a last minute change to their starting line-up, with winger, Derek O'Brien, picking up an injury in the warm-up and his name scratched from the team sheet as he was replaced by Rafael Cretaro.

Cretaro began on the right side of mid-field,with Gerry Carr and Ramuel Miller in the centre and Ollie Keogh getting his home debut on the left. Cretaro, however, later moved into the middle in place of the wholly disappointing Miller, who was eventually withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Michael McNamara returned to the fold and had a solid outing in the centre of defence, alongside Jim Sheridan, with Sean Purcell doing well at left-back, but Ian Rossiter having a difficult time against Kildare mid-fielder, Alan McNevin, as County raided with purpose down the left. In attack, Paul McTiernan hit another important goal, as Steve Feeney worked hard having been moved forward from his defensive berth to partner the former Boyle Celtic striker.

There was little between the sides in the opening period. Feeney had a header held securely by Kildare 'keeper, Wayne Russell, in the second minute following a cross from Rossiter and the threat to Rovers on the flank was evidenced a minute later as Marc Kenny and Gareth Cronin combined to release McNevin, who forced the first corner off Rossiter.

Deflection

Rovers net-minder, Mark Cobey, did well to hold a cross from Shay Zealor under pressure in the 6th minute.

Three minutes later, a Keogh free-kick from the edge of the area took a deflection, but Russell was alert and gathered the ball diving to his left.

On 13 minutes, Ramuel Miller's through ball was headed on by McTiernan and though Feeney collected to shoot well over the crossbar, a referee's assistant had signalled an offside infringement in any event.

Seven minutes later, Rovers broke from deep with Keogh running forward. He opted to pass to McTiernan when perhaps he might have retained possession a little longer and McTiernan's weak effort was no trouble for Russell.

The deadlock remained to half-time, with Gerry Carr and Ian Rossiter picking up yellow cards before the break.

Kildare had legitimate claims for a penalty turned down in the 47th minute, when it did appear that Jim Sheridan pulled back Philip Hughes by the jersey inside the area.

As County continued to create the better opportunities, Kenny turned provider for Hughes a minute later, with the Kildare striker shooting wide from a good position.

Lead goal

Steve Feeney failed to get a shot on goal following a Rossiter pass in the 50th minute and as he ball fell to Keogh he also couldn't connect, before McTiernan stabbed an effort goalwards which was easily dealt with by Russell. Barry O'Connor headed narrowly wide for Kildare seven minutes later, while at the other end Paul McTiernan beat Russell to a race for possession on the left edge of the area and as he crossed into the box with the 'keeper stranded, Keogh was unable to meet the ball and Kildare escaped.

County went ahead in the 57th minute, the goal a product of slack marking in the Rovers defence. Marc Kenny took a free-kick on the left and Ben Whelehan was given all the time in the world to head past Cobey.

Rovers equalised within two minutes. Ollie Keogh putting McTiernan in for a low shot to the corner and Don O'Riordan's charges went desperately close to taking the lead on 72 minutes, Ian Rossiter taking a touch from a Gerry Carr free-kick to hit the post from 25 yards.

Ben Whelehan and 'keeper Russell were yellow carded ahead of the introduction of Luther Watson for McTiernan, who had run himself to a standstill.

Kildare went back in front in the 79th minute when substitute Philip Gorman crossed to the back post and another substitute, Alan Kelly headed back across goal for Shay Zealor to tap in from close range.

Again the lead was short-lived, however, and Rovers were back on level terms six minutes from the end when Ian Rossiter worked his way to the end-line and Andrew McLoughlin arrived at the back post to pick up Rossiter's cross to fire beyond Russell to the far corner of the next.

Michael McNamara and Feeney both headed wide in the closing stages as Rovers tried in vain to claim a vital win.

Sligo Rovers: Cobey, Rossiter, McNamara, Sheridan, Purcell, Cretaro, Carr, Miller, Keogh, Feeney, McTiernan. Subs-McLoughlin for Miller (56 mins), Watson for McTiernan (73 mins), Jinks for Cretaro (85 mins).

Kildare County: Russell, Brennan, Whelehan, Kenny, Cronin, Zealor, Kenny, Scully, McNevin, Hughes, O'Connor. Subs-Gorman for Hughes (64 mins), Kelly for O'Connor (78 mins), Rodgers for Whelehan (84 mins).

Referee: Peter Flaherty (Galway).