Dundalk's search for their first win of the season goes on, but they did at least steady the ship somewhat at the Showgrounds as they held Sligo Rovers to a 1-1 draw.
Fabrice Hartmann struck one of the goals of the season in the 16th minute but the Bit O'Red were pegged back in the second half when Jamie Gullan knocked home an early second-half penalty.
The hosts started with the same team which was beaten by Shamrock Rovers in Dublin seven nights previous, while winger Sam Durrant replaced Robbie Mahon who picked up an injury in Dundalk's last outing against Bohs on Monday.
Hoping to rediscover some of that early season form which saw them soar into second spot in the Premier Division, Sligo were looking to recover from successive defeats in the capital to both St Pat's and the Hoops.
Rovers put five past the Lilywhites back in March. This first half performance didn't yield four goals as it did on that occasion, but the home side were well on top in the opening moments before Hartmann had the Showgrounds on its feet.
There were some dangerous crosses into the Dundalk area, without the ball falling favourably for Sligo who hadn't scored in their last two games.
🎥 | GOAL in sunny Sligo!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 19, 2024
A sensational strike from Fabrice Hartmann to give the hosts the lead 🚀
SLI 1-0 DUN #LOITV | #SLIDUN pic.twitter.com/6s3O8qH1fQ
But Hartmann made that wait worthwhile seconds later when he drove in from the sideline, finding space between two Dundalk defenders before hammering a stunning left footed effort which tore through the air and beyond Shelvey's reach from all of 20 yards.
Former Dundalk midfielder Connor Malley had to take a Gullen header off his own line on the half hour. Malley was then allowed travel with the ball just outside his former employers' area three minutes from the break. The midfielder's effort from the corner of the box, fizzing past Shelvey's far post.
The Louth side were back in the tie on 49 minutes when JR Wilson upended Gullan yards from goal. The former Hibs man coolly dispatching the spot-kick.
Sligo reacted with Hartmann going close twice in quick succession. The German almost caught Shelvey out at his front post from a set-piece out wide, while the same player's shot hit team mate Wilson Waweru before rolling past Shelvey's 90 seconds later.
The league's basement side had the ball in the Rovers net soon after but Gullan was adjudged offside from a Robbie Benson through ball as this game really opened up.
Sligo substitute Waweru was way off target with a headed effort 16 minutes from time. While Gullan could only fire straight at Ed McGinty after Malley had conceded possession having awkwardly fallen over the ball.
Both Malley and Dundalk sub Ryan O'Kane had chances to nab the points late on, but both camps had to settle for a share of the points.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow 70); Fabrice Hartmann (Rein Smit 70), Will Fitzgerald (Stefan Radosavljevic 80); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru HT).
Dundalk: George Shelvey; Archie Davies, Mayowa Animasahun (Zak Johnson 25), Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Scott High, Paul Doyle (Dara Keane HT); Samuel Durrant (Ryan O'Kane 68), Daryl Horgan; Robbie Benson; Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 79).
Referee: Paul Norton.
Attendance: 2,287.
