Mandroiu breaks Dundalk resistance as Rovers keep the pressure on

Danny Mandroiu's 67th-minute strike finally broke Dundalk’s resistance at Tallaght Stadium as Shamrock Rovers kept up the pressure on Derry City at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table with a huge three points.

Stephen Bradley’s side dominated throughout this game but struggled to break down a stubborn opposition until the former Bohs player latched onto a Jack Byrne pass to decide the game midway through the second half.

Stephen O’Donnell had set up the frustrate the home side and it worked for the most part, but they were all too often guilty of creating problems for themselves with Brian Gartland caught out for pace for the winner before being sent off for a second bookable offence three minutes from time.

The visitors made five changes from the side that beat Sligo Rovers on Friday night with big names such as Andy Boyle, Steven Bradley and Patrick Hoban dropping to the bench.

That saw Daniel Kelly deployed up front and he almost gave the Louth men a dream start when he headed against the crossbar inside the opening four minutes after Rovers failed to deal with a superb in-swinging free-kick from Keith Ward.

The home side soon began to turn the screw after that with Nathan Shepperd called into action for the first time on 11 minutes when he went full stretch to his left to keep out Sean Hoare's header from Byrne’s corner.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Dundalk then had another half chance two minutes later after Lee Grace gifted possession to Joe Adams. The Welsh under-21 winger immediately picked out Greg Sloggett who drove at the Rovers defence before cutting onto his weaker left foot, but a deflection took much of the sting off the shot and it was comfortable for Alan Mannus to deal with in the end.

The Hoops fans thought their