Jon Daly’s Blues picked up their second point of the season at home to Sligo Rovers FC on Friday night, as both sides couldn’t be separated in a 0-0 draw at the RSC
Archie Meekison had a big chance to put Sligo Rovers in front inside four minutes when he got free at the back post to get on the end of Will Fitzgerald’s left-wing cross, but his shot was just wide of Stephen McMullan’s goal.
Jorgan Violas, who came into the starting lineup in place of Conor Carty, went close with a brilliant first-time shot after six minutes when he took a pass from Conan Noonan, but his shot flashed wide of Sam Sargeant’s left-hand post.
McMullan went long with a 15th-minute free-kick after a foul on Luke Heeney that saw Conan Noonan flick the ball onto Trae Coyle on the top of the penalty area, but his first-time shot lacked power, which saw keeper Sam Sargeant make a comfortable save.
Tommy Lonergan had a golden chance to give the home side the lead on 32 minutes when he got his head on a brilliant in-swinging Conan Noonan corner, but the centre forward failed to hit the target from close-range as the ball rose over the crossbar.
It was a carbon copy chance for Lonergan seven minutes later, as the same routine set piece from Noonan found the head of the centre forward underneath the crossbar, but he directed his header over the bar.
The second half was less than two minutes old when the home side was awarded a penalty. Jorgen Violas clashed off the ball with first-half substitute Gareth McElroy, which saw referee Daniel Murphy point to the spot, but Padraig Amond rattled the crossbar with his spot-kick.
Sam Sargeant was called into action to make a brilliant save to deny Waterford the lead on 50 minutes when Trae Coyle sent over a left-wing cross that was cleared into the path of Conan Noonan, but his thunderous right-footed volley was superbly tipped over the bar.
Jeannot Esua had a half chance for Sligo just shy of the hour mark as the full back broke onto a clearance from Tommy Lonergan before letting fly from the top of the penalty area, but the ball whistled inches wide of McMullan’s right-hand post.
Jordan Faria carved out a good chance for Padraig Amond five minutes from time when he played a left-wing cross into the striker, but his stab forward was blocked away as the home side put on the pressure in the hope of grabbing a winner.
But they were nearly caught on the counterattack with 88 minutes on the clock as Will Fitzgerald got space out on the left before crossing into the centre for Mai Traore, but his header lacked power, resulting in a comfortable McMullan save.
The visitors went looking for a spot-kick on their own deep in second-half added time when Will Fitzgerald went tumbling in the area, but the official waved play on with replays suggesting that the attacker may have been fouled just outside the area.
WATERFORD FC: McMullan (GK); Heeney, Mahon, Cann, Couto; Glenfield, Coyle (72′ McLaughlin), Noonan; Violas (80′ Faria), Amond, Lonergan (72′ Carty).
SLIGO ROVERS FC: Sargeant; Esua (81’McDonagh), Denham, Blaney (45′ McElroy), Stewart, Fitzgerald, Quirk, Meekison (57′ Hakiki), O’Kane, Harkin (57′ Patton) (81′ McHugh), Traore.
Attendance: 2,131
