Shamrock Rovers lost ground on leaders Derry City as they could only manage a draw against 10-man Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
Andy Lyons had given the Hoops the lead at the break, but Sligo, although unconvincing at times, fought back to claim a valuable point.
Liam Buckley's charges ended the game without Garry Buckley who was sent off late on.
Sligo, who made four changes from their late win over Drogheda last weekend, were the last side the visitors dropped points against back in March.
Stephen Bradley's charges were in charge for most of this first half against a flat looking Sligo.
Shane Blaney might have done better when he met David Cawley’s sixth-minute corner at the front post. The Letterkenny man flashing his header wide of Alan Mannus’ goal for what was Sligo’s only chance of a first half low on quality.
The Hoops, welcoming back Dylan Watts who missed the derby win over Bohs, took hold of this game in the 23rd minute when they hit the lead.
Danny Mandriou produced a smart stop from Ed McGinty with a drive from range. However, the Sligo netminder could do little about the resulting corner when Lyons crept away from his marker to power Jack Byrne’s corner to the net.
Mandriou’s effort early in the second half was simple for McGinty to deal with as the Tallaght side continued to look the more threatening, while Dylan Watts’ cross-come-shot almost sneaked past McGinty just past the hour mark.
The same player forced a strong, two-handed stop from McGinty as the Dubliners looked to kill off any potential Sligo revival.
Sligo had to rely on Nando Pijnaker to deflect away Rory Gaffney’s attempt after the Tuam man spun away from Buckley’s tackle on 69, two minutes before Sligo were level.
Substitute Cillian Heaney and Sligo skipper David Cawley played their part as Jordan Hamilton stretched his neck to meet Cawley’s cross and place the ball inside Mannus’ far post.
Mannus had to be alert to keep out Robbie McCourt’s volley eight minutes from time as the tie hung in the balance, with the hosts finishing the stronger.
Sligo ended the game with 10 men when Buckley was shown his second yellow on 85 after he tangled with Richie Towell.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, Nando Pijnaker, Shane Blaney (Robbie McCourt 57); Colm Horgan, Greg Bolger; Adam McDonnell, David Cawley, Jordan Hamilton (Paddy Kirk 85); Aidan Keena (Cillian Heaney 66).
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Ronan Finn (Neil Farrugia 84), Andy Lyons; Gary O'Neill (Graham Burke 86), Dylan Watts (Richie Towell 77), Jack Byrne; Danny Mandriou (Aidamo Emakhu 84); Rory Gaffney (Aaron Greene 84).
Referee: Rob Harvey
