Gullan penalty earns draw for Dundalk against Sligo Rovers

SSE Airtricity Premier Division

Sligo Rovers 1 (Hartmann 16')

Dundalk 1 (Gullan 49' (P))

There was no first victory of the season for Dundalk at the Showgrounds, but the Lilywhites did pick up a well-earned point as they held hosts Sligo Rovers to a draw.

Fabrice Hartmann struck one of the goals of the season in the 16th minute, but the Bit O'Red were pegged back in the second half when Jamie Gullan restored parity from the penalty spot.

Hoping to rediscover some of that early season form which saw them soar into second place in the Premier Division, Sligo were looking to recover from successive defeats in the capital to both St Pat's and the Hoops.

Rovers put five past the Lilywhites back in March. This first half performance didn't yield four goals as it did on that occasion, but the home side were well on top in the opening moments before Hartmann had the Showgrounds on its feet.

There were some dangerous crosses into the Dundalk area, without the ball falling favourably for Sligo who hadn't scored in their last two games.

But Hartmann made that wait worthwhile seconds later when he drove in from the sideline, found space between two Dundalk defenders before hammering a stunning left footed effort which tore through the air and beyond Shelvey's reach from all of 20 yards.

Former Dundalk midfielder Connor Malley had to take a Gullen header off his own line on the half hour while the same player fizzed an effort past George Shelvey's post shortly after.

The Louth side were back in the tie on 49 minutes when JR Wilson upended Gullan yards from goal. The former Hibs man coolly dispatching the spot-kick.

Sligo reacted with Hartmann going close twice in quick succession. The German almost caught Shelvey out at his