Sligo Rovers 0 Waterford FC 0

Waterford FC extended their unbeaten run to nine games after a battling draw with Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds. In an entertaining encounter both sides had a number of chances but both goalkeepers proved their worth with some decent saves.

Waterford boss Graham Coughlan restored his first choice keeper and striker to the starting line up and the Blues started positively with a couple of incursions to the Sligo box.

However, the first opportunity came the way of the home side when new signing Jack Shorrock firing over from close range.

Shorrock was proving to be a thorn in the side of Jordan Houston and his cross on 13 minutes floated over the defence where Cian Kavanagh picked it up but blasted the ball against Kevin Long. Another cross from the new signing was headed by Cian Kavanagh into the path of Luke Pearce but his shot was well saved by Stephen McMullan.

Waterford gradually grew into the game and forced a couple of chances with Long’s downward header bouncing off Gareth McElroy and when it fell to Tommy Lonergan, the league’s top scorer couldn’t get enough power behind the ball to trouble Sam Sargeant.

Lonergan fired over another effort on 29 minutes and Podge Amond tested Sargeant on the stroke of half time but again Sargeant had no trouble holding the ball.

The Blues started the second half well and Conan Noonan forced another good save from Sargeant on the hour before Sligo’s best chance of the game when Archie Meekison’s free kick was heading for the top corner but McMullan dived full length to palm the ball away.

Waterford had more chances as the game opened up with Couto, Lonergan and Dean McMenamy going close and they nearly won it deep in injury time when Couto broke into the area before unleashing a low drive but Sargeant smothered it to save Sligo blushes.

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant, Stewart, Quirk, Young, Shorrock (George 79′), Pearce (Woolery 71′), Kavanagh, Denham (Meekison 46′), McHugh, Nolan, McElroy

Waterford FC: McMullan, Houston, Cann (McKenzie 70′), Mahon, Long, Couto, Mawene (McMEanmy 74′), McLaughlin, Noonan, Amond, Lonergan

Referee: Neil Doyle