ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC extended their unbeaten run to six games as they drew 0-0 with Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park.

The Saints have been in good form of late and were looking to keep that going, but Rovers secured a draw that moves them four points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

 

After a cagey opening, where both teams shut each other down in a congested midfield, it started to open up with Stephen Bradley having an influence for the home side.

 

On 27 minutes, Derek Doyle registered the first real goalscoring chance when he controlled a header from Ian Bermingham inside the opposition’s penalty area and tried his luck with an overhead kick.

 

Rovers keeper Alan Mannus was aware to the danger and comfortably gathered. But it was a sign of things to come from Pete Mahon’s men, who enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half.

 

The visitors didn’t have much luck in trying to carve open the Saints defence and were restricted to long-range efforts as Conor McCormack twice fired over when he should have hit the target.

 

Those chances were hardly scares, but the Saints still reacted to them. A flick on from Doyle set Daryl Kavanagh away, but his shot was charged down by the alert Mannus.

 

From the resulting corner, defender Brian Shortall rose highest inside the box to head towards goal but Rovers winger Gary McCabe was in the right place to clear off the goal line.

 

Although after the break it was Rovers who looked more dangerous. Pat Flynn shot over from distance before Ronan Finn twice let rip with strikes that had keeper Gary Rogers on his toes.

 

There were few chances after that as Rovers finished on top, but strong defending from St Pat’s saw them through to pick up a deserved point.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Shortall, E McMillan, Bermingham; Murphy, Bradley, Crowley (Stewart 65), Doyle; Kavanagh (Daly 83), North (D McMillan 88).

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sullivan, Murray, Flynn, Stevens; Sheppard, Finn, Rice (Dennehy 60), McCormack, McCabe (Kavanagh 60); O’Neill (Kilduff 75).

 

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).