AN UNEXPECTED slip up from league leaders Dundalk allowed Cork City to narrow the gap at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table to four points after the weekend's games.
Despite dominating their game at home to Longford Town, Dundalk were foiled by a stubborn defence and an outstanding performance from Longford Town goalkeeper Paul Hunt, eventually having to settle for a goalless draw.
Hunt made a catalogue of fine saves, especially in the last 10 minutes when Dundalk had the visitors' goal under siege, and the result was all the more remarkable given that Longford were reduced to ten men three minutes before half-time after their captain Mark Salmon was harshly sent off by referee Tomas Connolly.
Cork City ensured they took full advantage of the result at Oriel Park, when they maintained their title challenge with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Former Leicester City manager Micky Adams took charge of Rovers for the first time following his midweek appointment, but after a first half of few chances at either end, he saw his side fall behind just before the hour mark, when Liam Miller rolled a free-kick into the path of Mark O'Sullivan, who beat Richard Brush with a low shot.
The Leesiders' win was wrapped up three minutes from time, when former Sligo man Ross Gaynor tapped in from close range after goalkeeper Brush had failed to hold a shot from Steven Beattie.
The result keeps John Caulfield's side very much in contention at the top of the table, and a repeat of last season's end of season title-showdown with Dundalk could well be on the cards again.
However, St Patrick's Athletic can't be discounted from the title race after they recorded a club record-equalling eighth win in a row by beating Shamrock Rovers 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium to move to within nine points of Dundalk.
It was a night to forget for Rovers keeper Craig Hyland, who allowed a speculative 40 yard shot from Chris Forrester to slip through his hands to present Saints with an opening goal three minutes into the second half, and in stoppage time he lost out in a chase for the ball with Morgan Langley, which allowed the Saints man to roll the ball into an empty net to seal the win.
The result was Pat Fenlon’s first home defeat in the league as Rovers manager, and they now sit three points behind their Dublin rivals in fourth place, albeit with a game in hand.
Here's how the @SSEAirtricityLg table looks following the weekend's games #LOI pic.twitter.com/2z3IJgwrIi
— Irish Post Sport (@IrishPostSport) August 10, 2015
Mick Cooke's managerial reign at Bray Wanderers got off to a good start with a 1-0 win over his former club Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds. His side kept him waiting before breaking the deadlock though, with the decisive goal arriving in the 88th minute from the head of Hugh Douglas.
One of the form players in the league at the moment is Derry City's Mark Timlin, who scored twice in a game for the third week in a row as the Candystripes cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win at Eamonn Deacy Park against Galway United.
All the goals came in the second half, with debutant Ciaran O'Connor opening the scoring on 52 minutes following a great ball from Timlin, and the Candystripes doubled their lead minutes later when Cormac Raftery brought down Dean Jarvis in the box, and Timlin made no mistake from the penalty spot.
O'Connor turned provider in the 63rd minute when he set up Timlin for his second goal of the game, and Stephen Dooley added a fourth goal a minute from time to seal a win that moves Derry six points clear of the relegation zone.
Limerick may still be 10 points from safety at the bottom of the table, but they are staging a late revival after recording their second win in as many weeks, eventually emerging victorious by 4-3 against Bohemians at the Markets Field.
Despite losing Patrick Kanyuka with a red card early in the second half, Limerick fought back twice to eventually edge out the Gypies in a ding-dong game, the winner arriving 16 minutes from time when Shane Tracy's penalty rebounded off the post and hit goalkeeper Dean Delany before ending up in the back of the net.
In the First Division, Wexford Youths won the top of the table clash with Finn Harps, a double from leading scorer Danny Furlong seeing them through to a 2-0 win at Ferrycarrig Park. The win moved Shane Keegan's side two points clear of Harps at the top with a game in hand.
UCD remain in third place after a comfortable 5-1 win over Waterford United, midfielder Jack Watson scoring twice to help the students to their third win in a row.
Meanwhile, fourth-placed Shelbourne were held to a 2-2 draw at Cobh Ramblers, and Athlone Town's fading hopes of a promotion play off place were all but ended with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Cabinteely, who missed a penalty but still came away the points thanks to a Michael Brown goal on 58 minutes.
Results:
Premier Division: Bray Wanderers 1 Drogheda United 0, Dundalk 0 Longford Town 0, Galway United 0 Derry City 4, Limerick 4 Bohemians 3, Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 2, Sligo Rovers 0 Cork City 2.
Division One: Athlone Town 0 Cabinteely 1, Cobh Ramblers 2 Shelbourne 2, UCD 5 Waterford United 1, Wexford Youths 2 Finn Harps 0.
