Stephen Bradley and Damien Duff were both convinced that their sides did enough to win the game as Shamrock Rovers and Premier Division champions Shelbourne played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
Visitors Shelbourne have racked up three consecutive draws in the last week, with Rovers recording two draws and defeat in an ultra-competitive top tier.
Just three points separate Drogheda United at the summit from seventh-placed Derry City after 12 games, although both managers were of the view that their respective charges should have finished the night as table-toppers.
Matt Healy opened the scoring in the 28th minute with his first goal for the Hoops, but Shelbourne responded impressively after the restart, despite losing both Kerr McInroy and Sam Bone to injury at the start of the second half.
Substitute Ali Coote had Shels level with his first tough in the 50th minute and Ademipo Odubeko gave Duff's side the lead 15 minute later with a second goal from close range.
However, the lead was to last just two minutes, with Daniel Cleary capitalising on sloppy Shels marking to restore parity.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the final whistle, Rovers boss Bradley bemoaned aspects of his side's play in both boxes, while firmly of the view that there should have been only one winner.
"I think we should win the game quite clearly," he said. "I think we controlled the game. There was a 10-15 minute spell in the second half after the injuries where they obviously got on top, but Pico (Lopes) had a header just before half-time, a free header, should score.
"Danny Grant has a one-on-one, Michael Noonan has a one-on-one. We should win the game quite comfortably.
"I thought some of our stuff was excellent, we just need to be more ruthless."
When it was pointed out that his view of proceedings was one not shared by his opposite number in the Shels dugout, Bradley replied: "Madness, I don't know what he's looking at.
"I think it's quite clear to see. I don't remember any other chances they had, apart from the goals."
Rovers defensive frailties in the last week have seen them ship seven goals, with the Rovers manager all too aware that such a record, allied to their profligacy in front of the posts, does not make league champions make.
"The goals we've given away are poor," he admitted. "We've experienced players and it's not good enough.
"So much of tonight was so good, and we should win the game, but if you're not ruthless in both boxes you don't win games and we weren't tonight."
For Duff, a sluggish Shelbourne start and a tentative early approach compromised his side's chances of claiming all three points.
"It was a hesitant first half," he said. "I thought we showed them, bizarrely, a little bit too much respect.
"I felt we were in control and we looked a nice enough team, but we didn't play with a real edge with the ball.
"There was a hint of nervousness, I thought, around the final third.
"Second half and the half-time chat was all about no regrets and taking the shackles off. There wasn't a lot of tactics spoken about and they certainly did that. I thought they were outstanding."
The Shels manager described their second half goals as "fabulous", adding: "That's the quality we have here. Like I said, second half, I thought we were brilliant in spells. Top goals. I think I'll have to look back at the chance, was it Ev (Evan Caffrey) with the one cleared off the line?
"We could have nicked it, you're 2-1 up with 15 minutes to go. Maybe last year we'd have seen it out, but we didn't tonight."
An exciting league, where results are devilishly difficult to predict, may be capturing the public's imagination. However, Duff could do with fewer thrills, spills and draws, and more victories.
"Teams beating each other, draws, it's very tight and brilliant for the neutral, brilliant for all the clubs involved. But all I look at is ourselves. Nine points in a week on offer. Three brilliant footballing performances, but we concede six goals and we only come out with three points. I'll have to look at our bit."
