Candystripes fail to take their chances

Trailing to a wonder goal from John Russell on 16 minutes, City led thanks to a brace from Ryan McBride before the half-hour mark, but Danny Ledwith equalised for the home side just before the break.

However it was Peter Hutton’s side who in truth missed a host of chances after the break with Rovers goalkeeper Gary Rogers denying Mark Timlin, Rory Patterson and Ryan Curran, before Ian Baraclough’s men were reduced to ten men on 71 minutes after substitute Eric Odhiambo was shown a straight red card following a challenge on Cliff Byrne.

That sending off put a spring in City’s step and they should have won the game in the closing stages when substitute Nathan Boyle’s teasing cross found an unmarked Barry McNamee, who somehow saw his close range diving header flash wide.

Russell had a super chance to win the game for the Bit O’Red in stoppage time but the midfielder dragged his shot wide.

After the match a dejected McNamee spoke to Sentinel Sport’s Editor Kevin McLaughlin.