A Wonderstrike from David McAllister put an end to Sligo Rovers unbeaten start to the season as they lost 1-0 at the hands of St Patrick's Athletic, who keep pace with Dundalk at the top of the Airtricity League.
The decisive goal at Richmond Park was worthy of winning any match. Just before the hour McAllister, cutting inside from his right wing position, dribbled past Danny Ventre before unleashing a left foot drive from 30 yards which crashed off the underside of the bar giving Richard Brush in the Sligo goal absolutely no chance.
The concession left Rovers facing an uphill task in trying to break the Dubliner's rearguard. On their own turf the Saints are tough to reign in, Pete Mahon has constructed a side specialising in counter attack football, with a solid defence the launchpad.
Against his old club Joseph Ndo looked the most likely to pick the lock, but his subtle passes were always just out of reach when Padraig Amond and Mark Doninger made their angled runs.
Hoarse from shouting instructions, Paul Cooke was understandably disappointed to lose:
"We deserved something from the game, we dominated possession for long spells.
If you have a criticism it's that we lacked penetration, we were missing (Matthew) Blinkhorn in that respect."
Mahon too was subdued despite the victory."We've won nothing so far" said Mahon, keen to focus on the next hurdle. "there's another tough game to come on Monday against Galway." The Saints supremo eventually adding that: "we're happy to be where we are, but to win the league would be dreamland stuff."
The return of Ndo to Inchicore drew a chorus of boo's from the home support. His skill when dropping deep in midfield was a major sense of frustration to David Mulcahy and Stuart Byrne.
The visitors were by no means cowed by the games keenly contested tackles giving as good as they got, but Gary McCabe was lucky to escape censure when he tackled Stuart Byrne from behind.
The movement of Amond kept Kenna and Guthrie on edge. Early on, the skilful striker combined with Ndo, who dribbled his way to a shooting position in the congested penalty area, but the Cameroonian's curling effort was off target much to the delight of the large home support.
Cooke was forced to reshuffle his back line after just 25 minutes when, stretching to make a clearance, Mauro Almeida landed awkwardly on his achilles and was stretchered off, replaced by fullback Paul Whelan.
The normally dangerous, Ryan Guy was kept relatively quiet, in part due to good wing play from John Dillon, who forced the American to track back more than he enjoys.
On the other wing, McAllister was in fine form and could have finished off his sides best move of the match after Faherty, fed by Mulcahy, rolled a chance his way. But on that occasion Brush was up to the task of stopping the wide mans shot.
On the stroke of half time Faherty again found a penetrative pass, but the Paul Byrne's half volley required minimal effort from Brush to make keep the game goalless at half time.
Pats upped the tempo after the turnaround and had an early penalty shout when Faherty tumbled after rounding the goalkeeper, referee Alan Kelly deeming a corner sufficient reward.
McAllister's strike came as a bolt from the blue, and after falling behind, the Bit O Red looked desperate to preserve their unbeaten record. Gavin Peers' downward header somehow finding the space outside the post and out of reach of the onrushing Doninger seeking a tap-in.
The men from the west refused to lay down, Richie Ryan flashed a shot wide and as the final whistle loomed, they lay siege to Gary Rogers' goal showing why this was their first defeat. But the hosts still looked the more likely score with substitute Alex Williams a major headache for Peers and Alan Keane, now defending high up the pitch.
The saints go marching on and with full time coming ten minutes earlier than Dundalk's game, the faithful reminded themselves that they sat top of the league.
Sligo will be looking forward to playing a team other than St.Pat's in the coming weeks.
St Patricks Athletic: Gary Rogers, Derek Pender, Connor Kenna, Shane Guthrie, Damien Lynch, David McAllister, Stuart Byrne, David Mulcahy, Ryan Guy (for Brian Cash '82), Paul Byrne (for Alex Williams '76), Vinny Faherty (for Connor Sinnot '89
Substitutes not used: Gareth Coughlan, Dan Conner.
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Danny Ventre, Gavin Peers, Mauro Almeida (for Paul Whelan,'26,) Alan Keane, John Dillon (for Eoin Doyle '68), Richie Ryan, Mark Doninger, Gary McCabe (Conor Ogrady '80), Joseph Ndo, Padraig Amond.
Substitutes not used: Steve Feeney, Ciaran Kelly
Referee: A Kelly
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