Cork City 0-0 Sligo Rovers
Tuesday, 29 September 2009 22:59A point each was a fair result for these two sides in their respective battles after a lively scoreless draw in front of the lowest attendance of the season (1377) at Turners Cross.
A protest by Cork supporters before the game outside the ground because of the way the club is being run by current owner Tom Coughlan meant there were only 650 spectators in the stadium before the 6.45 kick off. Another 800 entered the stadium ten minutes after the game started.
This was the seventh meeting between the sides this season, with Cork winning two league games, Sligo winning an FAI Cup replay at The Showgrounds and the sides drawing three other matches including their recent Setanta Cup clash.
Sligo, who were second from bottom just three points above basement club Bray Wanderers at the start of play, went closest to opening the scoring after 16 minutes.
A shot from Danny Ventre flew off young Cork defender Kevin Long and onto the crossbar before restored goalkeeper Dan Conor punched the ball to safety.
The nearest Cork came to breaking the deadlock in an open first half game of football, was a low 40th minute drive from Davin O'Neill which was pushed behind for a corner kick by the diving Brush.
After the break both side pushed for a winning goal. Billy Dennehy fed Fahrudin Kuduzovic in the 77 minute and his low shot was well saved by the diving Sligo goalkeeper Brush.
On the 90th minute Sligo had a good chance when a Rob Turner header flew wide of the target, but then Dennehy thumped a Richard Brush punched clearance wide of the target.
A point could yet prove crucial to both sides, as Sligo stay second from bottom on goal difference behind Drogheda in their battle against relegation.
Cork stay fourth in their chase for a European spot.
