There was late drama at Turner's Cross where the meeting of two divisional league champions produced a draw. It was a draw that a previously pointless Cork City would have taken before the game.
They certainly set out to play for parity at the start of the match. However, the nature of the draw, with a very late equaliser, meant that it felt like a defeat for the Leesiders.
A turgid first half produced few chances of note although it flickered into life at the beginning and end of the half.
Early on, Hoops frontman Gary O'Neill shot straight at 'keeper Mark McNulty after just six minutes when played in well by Gary Twigg. Rovers had started the brighter, but Cork City had gained equality in midfield by the mid period of the first half.
Both teams played a high defensive line, compressing space, leading to few chances. Rovers captain Ken Oman missed a good chance from a corner after 13 minutes.
Aptly, in a poor half, the closest either side came to a goal was when Hoop's centre back Craig Sives almost headed into the bottom corner of his own net but Swedish 'keeper Jansson reacted smartly to save.
Cork City manager Tommy Dunne would certainly have been the happier manager at half-time. He was not so happy with referee Neil Doyle's inaction when Davin O'Neill was hauled down in the box just before half-time.
Rovers regained control early in the second half, but created little of note and soon ceded possession to Cork City. Tricky winger Daryl Horgan almost scored after combining well with Davin O'Neill.
The game finally sparked into life after 62 minutes when Cork City centre back and man-of-the-match Gavin Kavanagh picked up a loose ball 35-yards out and struck a good shot which seemed to take a strange bounce to deceive the otherwise excellent Rovers 'keeper.
After 78 minutes the referee produced a red card for Rovers left back Conor Powell for a late tackle on Gearóid Morrissey that warranted nothing more than a yellow.
Cork City failed to press on, however, and by sitting deep allowed the Hoops to pressurise them.
That pressure told in the 94th minute when Billy Dennehy crossed, Ken Oman flicked the ball back across goal and Gary Twigg expertly guided the ball home.
City were sickened at the late concession,n but must be happy overall with a point against the Premier Division champions.
