Sligo Rovers 0-0 Bray Wanderers
Harry Kenny saw his Bray Wanderers side pick up a valuable point in his first competitive game in charge as the Wicklow side played out a dull scoreless draw with Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Both sides created goalscoring chances throughout but failed to capitalise during a game which had all the hallmarks of the first day back, following the two-week summer break.
The result sees Bray move one point ahead of basement side Longford Town following the Midlanders' defeat by Finn Harps.
Bray's Dylan Connolly displayed his superior strength as he out-muscled Tobi Adebayo-Rowling in a 50-50 challenge at the edge of the Rovers area with eight minutes played.
However, the former Ipswich man's disappointing effort was easily dealt with by Sligo goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann on his 150th career appearance.
Kenny's charges were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men on the quarter hour.
Referee Ray Matthews deemed Hugh Douglas's over-the-ball challenge on John Russell to be a bookable offence, despite protestation from a number of incensed Rovers players.
Andrew Lewis was unlucky to see his shot on the turn fizz past Schlingermann's far post following Sligo's struggle to clear Ryan Brennan's corner just past the half hour.
The home team failed to produce a shot on target during the first 45.
The closest they came was when Jimmy Keohane misjudged the flight of John Russell's chipped cross from the end-line three minutes later. His awkward header floated harmlessly wide of Peter Cherrie's goal.
Seagulls captain Conor Kenna saw his nodded effort from a Brennan corner ghost across the Sligo goalmouth during the early exchanges of the second half.
Both teams passed up decent goalscoring opportunities soon after.
Cherrie blocked down Keohane's tame effort from 10 yards with his feet, while Schlingermann was unable to keep hold of Brennan's curler from distance two minutes later. The ball fell to Lewis, who could only find the side netting from close range.
Both teams continued in their efforts to break the deadlock on a greasy Showgrounds surface.
Schlingermann was forced to quickly adjust his feet as he kept out Connolly's swerving effort attempt 13 minutes from time.
Dave Robertson introduced strikers Phil Roberts and Jaanai Gordon to the mix as Sligo pushed in vain for an opener.
The former chose to shoot from the angle on 79 with team-mate Kieran Sadlier situated in arguably a more profitable position as Roberts' low drive flashed across Cherrie's goal.
Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Mick Leahy, Gary Boylan, Regan Donelon; Jimmy Keohane, Craig Roddan, Jordan Richards, John Russell, Kieran Sadlier (Jaanai Gordon 80); Liam Martin (Phil Roberts 69).
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Alan McNally, Sean Harding; Ryan Brennan, Mark Salmon, Karl Moore, Dylan Connolly, Gareth McDonagh; Andrew Lewis (Dean Kelly 78).
Referee: Ray Matthews.
