Sligo stalemate as Derry fail to fire

The Showgrounds remains an unhappy hunting ground for Derry City as they failed to beat Sligo Rovers away from home at the fifth attempt.

The Candystripes need to go back to August 2021 for their last victory on the banks of the Garavogue as again, the Brandywell outfit were left frustrated by the Bit O'Red in what was a scrappy encounter.

Adding to Derry's woes was the loss of Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan, both of whom were forced off with knocks.

The result means Derry miss the chance to go top of the Premier Division table, while Sligo will see this as one point gained.

With the exception of John Mahon, set to miss the next few months with a serious achilles injury, Rovers boss John Russell was afforded the luxury of choosing from a fully fit squad for the second game running. The Galway native electing to keep faith in the same team that picked up a point from Dalymount Park a week previous.

City boss Ruaidhri Higgins made two changes to the side that beat Drogheda on the opening evening of the season. Defender Sam Todd making his first appearance of the year, while the influential McEleney recovered from a groin strain in time to take his place in the starting XI.

Revisiting the ground where their respective title charges effectively came to an end in both 2022 and 2023, City quenched Sligo's early exuberance before creating the game's opening chance three minutes in.

Sloppy positioning in the centre of the Rovers defence allowed Pat Hoban easily pick out Will Patching in plenty of space inside the Sligo area. The former Dundalk man showing what may be some early season rustiness as he wastefully skied his rushed effort from 15 yards out.

Rovers' on loan goalkeeper Ed McGinty was the busier of the two net-minders