Chances go a begging

It was a case of playing to form at Tolka Park last night as neither Shamrock Rovers or Bray Wanderers managed to find the net. It has now been four matches since either team took full points and it was that background which brought about this respectable, if not hard played, encounter. Jason Sherlock had early chances for Rovers but Tony Cousins and substitute Terry Palmer tested the Bray defence most. But Wanderers had the best chance to make the breakthrough in the first half after some excellent work by Stephen Fox and Stuart Connolly as well as some useful touches by Barry O'Connor.

Nearing halftime Wanderers put together an impressive succession of chances but Kieran O'Brien and O'Connor failed to finish the best of them.

While Rovers are still within reach of Europe, Wanderers are more concerned with avoiding the drop but there were ominous signs that things will have to improve if either are to fulfill their ambitions.

The key problem area for both sides is finding the net and so it proved in the second half. Rovers raised the pace once again but their short passing continued to let them down. Even when Cousins was handed a real opportunity midway through the period he fired it over the crossbar.

Substitute Billy Woods very nearly stole the show for Rovers in the 75th minute when he forced the only real save from goalkeeper John Walsh.

Rovers' manager Mick Byrne has been worried about his team's strength-sapping season, yet they still appear capable of lifting their game when it matters. Wanderers, meanwhile, remain third from bottom.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Bruton, Dunne, Brazil, Whelan, Colwell, Tracey, Cousins, Purdy, Sherlock, Morrisroe. Subs: Palmer for Purdy (2 mins); Woods for Morrisroe (72 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Tresson, Keogh, Lynch, Doohan, Fox, Tierney, O'Connor, O'Brien, Connolly, Giffen, Subs: Parsons for O'Brien (86 mins); Smyth for Connolly; Brian for Fox (both 89 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).