Cork City (1) - St Patrick's Athletic (1)

Cork City 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 1

Cork City dropped two crucial points in their bid to retain the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title as they were held to a 1-1 draw by St Patrick's Athletic at Turner's Cross.

Josh O'Hanlon's late header cancelled out Dean Clarke's opener for a Pat's but it leaves City joint top of the table with Dundalk, but having now played two games more.

Pat's made three changes to the team that defeated Inchicore Athletic 5-0 in the FAI Cup first round at Richmond Park last time out.

Killian Brennan, Ian Turner and Darragh Markey dropped to the bench and were replaced by Conor Clifford, Conan Byrne and Achille Campion, who was making his debut on his return to the club he left at the end of July.

And the visitors started the match the better side here as they created the first opportunity after four minutes but Dean Clarke's fierce effort from distance flew just wide of the bottom left corner.

John Caulfield made one change to his side which was heavily beaten by Rosenborg in Norway on Thursday night.

Graham Cummins didn't travel with the squad due to injury and he replaced Gearoid Morrissey in the starting the eleven.

City appeared to be lacking energy following their midweek excursions and they came up against a very organised Pats side which hardly allowed them a sight at goal.

In fact, it was Pats who continued to look the more threatening side during a dour first half and they ought to have edged in front just past the half an hour mark.

Dean Clarke again fired towards goal from distance. On this occasion the ball was parried by Mark McNulty and into the path of Ryan Brennan but the winger couldn't turn the rebound home from close range.

With the first half drawing to a close, Pat's again threatened to take the lead but after Conan Byrne's free was headed to the back post by Clarke, defender Ian Bermingham could only direct it wide of the target.

The champions first effort on goal came in first-half injury time but after neat footwork on the edge of the Pat's penalty area, Kieran Sadlier blazed his shot well over the bar.

The half-time break did little to improve City as the Dublin club remained in control of proceedings at the beginning of the second period.

Dean Clarke continued to cause the City defence problems and his cross in the 54th minute found Ryan Brennan in the area but his header was straight down the throat of McNulty.

The majority of the 3,296 in attendance began to grow restless and their fears were soon realised as Clarke deservedly fired Pat's in front.

The attacker latched onto Campion's flick on in the six-yard box and after his shot was saved by the City goalkeeper he was on hand to tuck the rebound into the bottom left corner.

The double winners brought on Gearoid Morrissey and former Pat's man Josh O'Hanlon to give them more of an attacking impetus but it was the Saints who almost grabbed the second goal of the match.

Clarke's delivery from the left found Byrne in space but his free header was well saved by City's shot-stopper.

But in the closing stages, O'Hanlon did have an impact as he headed Morrissey's cross into the top right corner to give City hope.

City pressed for a winner late on but it wasn't to be as they dropped points at home for just the second time this season to hand Dundalk a huge advantage in the race for the title.

©rte.ie

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Cork City 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 1

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