Bohemians were held at home in Dalymount Park by Sligo Rovers in a 0-0 draw as they failed to pick up their second home win of the new Airtricity League campaign.

 

Even though the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Gavin Peers was sent off, there was nothing that the Gypsies could do to make the breakthrough in this game.

 

Sligo fully deserved their point and almost got off to an ideal start when Padraig Amond had the ball in the back of the net inside the first minute, but it was ruled out for a handball.

 

Bohs struggled to play the free-flowing game that helped them win the Premier Division title last term, although they were always a threat with Paddy Madden shooting wide and Jason Byrne having his effort saved by Sligo keeper Richard Brush.

 

Brush proved to be the difference between the teams as he palmed away a volley from Byrne, while the striker failed to execute a flurry of other chances as he was left frustrated in front of his home crowd.

 

The introduction of Mark Quigley and Raffaele Cretaro could not influence things either as Sligo battled hard right to the end and hung on for what could turn out to be a vital away point.

 

Bohemians: O’Connor; Heary, Shelley, Oman, Powell; Rossiter (Quigley 76), Cronin (Higgins 76), Keegan, McGlynn; Byrne, Madden (Cretaro 81)

 

Substitutes Not Used: B Murphy, Greene.

 

Sligo Rovers: Brush; Keane, Peers, Ventre, Davoren; Doyle, O’Grady, Ryan, Dillon (McCabe 73); Blinkhorn, Amond (Almedia 72).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Kelly, Doninger, Marshall.

 

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)