Sligo Rovers held to a draw by Dundalk at The Showgrounds

Rovers went ahead early on through Fabrice Hartmann, but had to settle for a draw when Jamie Gullan equalised through a penalty.

The Bit O’Red came into this home game against the league’s bottom side having lost their last two games on the road, losing 3-0 to both St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.

But, Russell’s men have lost just three of their opening ten games, a positive start to their campaign considering many expected them to be rooted to the bottom of the table from the start.

Rovers came into this tie desperate for a win, and their hopes would have been high considering their opponents Dundalk are bottom of the table having failed to win a game all season.

And, in their one and only meeting this season, Sligo Rovers were 5-0 winners over Dundalk at Oriel Park, with Max Mata and Ellis Chapman netting a brace each while Fabrice Hartmann also got in on the act.

John Russell was able to name an unchanged starting 11 from the side that was beaten by Shamrock Rovers a week ago.

Simon Power was serving the final game of his suspension on Friday night, and will return for Monday’s rescheduled game against Galway at The Showgrounds.

Dundalk parted ways with manager Stephen O’Donnell just over two weeks ago, and have looked better on the pitch since, although they are still looking for that win.

The Lilywhites, under interim manager Brian Gartland, were unfortunate to lose to Bohemians earlier in the week.

Both teams were under pressure coming into this tie, with Rovers desperate to bounce back from two defeats while Dundalk were keen to pick up their first win.

The home side, to their credit, dominated the opening stages and were well on top, with the pressure on Dundalk's defence relentless throughout the first-half.

Ellis Chapman and his former Cheltenham team-mate Reece Hutchinson went close in the early minutes, while an ambitious volley from Daryl Horgan did little to trouble Ed McGinty in the Rovers goals.

Rovers were consistently piling the pressure on the Dundalk rearguard, and it was a sensational strike on 17 minutes that put the Bit O’Red ahead.

Hartmann gained possession on the right, before cutting into the middle and taking a couple of touches.

The RB Leipzig loanee showed why he is so highly regarded as he found the top corner from 25 yards with an incredible strike, his third of the season.

A lovely through ball from Hartmann almost found Max Mata on 35 minutes, but former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper George Shelvey was wise to it, coming off his line to make the save.

Connor Malley almost added a second before half-time against his former team, and it looked as though his shot may just creep in as the Dundalk defence watched on, but it whimpered wide in the end.

Jamie Gullan looked through on goal on the cusp of half-time, but Ed McGinty came off his line to smother the ball at his feet.

As tough as the first half was for the visitors, they looked brighter after the restart.

Three minutes into the half, as Rovers failed to clear their lines referee Paul Norton pointed to the spot as JR Wilson was adjudged to have fouled Gullan.

The former Raith Rovers striker struck his penalty well to make it 1-1, his second goal of the season.

Rovers responded well to Dundalk’s equaliser, though, with Hartmann’s free-kick creeping in under the crossbar until Shelvey got his fingertips in the way, before the German just pulled a shot wide from inside the box after the ball fell to him.

Gullan should have made it 2-0 late in the second half, but he couldn’t get enough power on the shot to beat McGinty in goals.

Rovers pushed hard for the closing stages, but had to settle for a draw in the end.

Russell’s men are at home again on Monday evening as they take on Galway United at home.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, JR Wilson, Ollie Denham, Charlie Wiggett, Reece Hutchinson, Fabrice Hartmann (Rein Smit, 69), Connor Malley, Niall Morahan, Ellis Chapman (Kailin Barlow, 69), Will Fitzgerald (Stefan Radosavljevic, 80), Max Mata (Wilson Waweru, 46).

Dundalk: George Shelvey, Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Mayowa Animasahun (Zak Johnson, 25), Zak Bradshaw, Scott High, Paul Doyle (Dara Keane, 46), Daryl Horgan, Sam Durrant (Ryan O'Kane, 68), Robbie Benson, Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny, 79).