Sligo Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the season, holding the Champions to a thrilling draw at Tallaght Stadium.
The visitors went into halftime with a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Will Fitzgerald and the league's top goalscorer Aidan Keena, but were denied victory by a Graham Burke penalty and an Adam McDonnell own goal.
The result leaves Liam Buckley’s side second in the table behind Derry City, while the Hoops sit fourth after dropping points for the second game in-a-row.
The hosts made three changes to the side that were held to a scoreless draw at Dundalk on Monday night, reintroducing Alan Mannus, Dylan Watts and Rory Gaffney into the starting team.
Testament to the Hoops' abundance of quality, Jack Byrne dropped to an eye-catching bench alongside Richie Towell, Ronan Finn and Neil Farrugia.
Despite boasting a two goal lead after 30 minutes, the Bit O’ Red were subject to a Shamrock Rovers onslaught throughout the opening stages of the evening.
The Hoops orchestrated an incessant campaign of attacks down the left wing, with Dylan Watts and Barry Cotter providing a series of daunting deliveries.
Ed McGinty – who kept his side in contention throughout – was well-positioned to gather an early Roberto Lopes header inside three minutes. Rory Gaffney directed another threatening header just wide minutes later.
Sligo looked under pressure, but against the run of play they opened the scoring.
In a rare attacking venture, the Bit O’ Red secured a throw midway inside their opponent’s half.
Collecting the throw on the half-turn, Jordan Hamilton whipped an early cross into Fitzgerald who flicked the ball past Mannus and inside the far post.
Now trailing, the Hoops racked up the shot count. Watts and Burke struck two notable efforts, however, McGinty, again, proved equal to both.
For all their good work, the hosts only had themselves to blame for the second goal.
Keena, who scored a 35 minute hat-trick against Finn Harps on Monday, pounced on a wayward Cotter pass to charge into the box, drop his shoulder and strike the ball into the bottom left corner.
Discontent at half-time, Bradley introduced Byrne and Farrugia.
Sligo, however, started the half with renewed energy. Keena worked tirelessly up front to hold-up possession as groans of frustration began to emanate from the home support.
Finally, on the hour mark, the hosts found the breakthrough when a charging Andy Lyons was taken down just inside the box. Burke looked calm as he slotted the resulting penalty in the bottom right corner.
The Hoops pushed for more, bringing on Aaron Greene, Aidomo Emakhu and Towell to bolster the attacking forces. McGinty was called into action again and again, pulling off one of the saves of the season to stop a forceful Lopes header with ten minutes to go.
However, the dam could not hold and with nine minutes to go the hosts found their equaliser. McDonnell was unfortunate when – attempting to clear – he hooked Byrne’s corner into his own net.
There was a roar from the home fans as the fourth official indicated five minutes of added time, however, Sligo’s last ditch defending was enough to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Andy Lyons, Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Barry Cotter (Neil Farrugia, 46); Gary O’Neill (Jack Byrne, 46), Dylan Watts, Danny Mandroiu (Aaron Greene, 64), Graham Burke; Rory Gaffney (Aidomo Emakhu, 64).
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, Paddy Kirk, Nando Pijnaker; Niall Morahan (Shane Blaney, 89), Adam McDonnell; Karl O’Sullivan (Colm Horgan, 69), Will Fitzgerald (Mark Byrne, 89); Jordan Hamilton (David Cawley, 79), Aidan Keena (Max Mata, 69).
Referee: Derek Tomney
