Sligo Rovers earned another valuable point in the SSE Airtricity League Men's Premier Division with a 2-all draw at home to Shamrock Rovers on Saturday evening.

New signings Patrick McClean, James McManus and Ryan O'Kane all started for John Russell's charges in front of a crowd of 3359.

Midfielder Jad Hakiki gave the home side the lead with a fine header after just minutes following a quick set-piece routine.

The same player got his and his team's second on 24 minutes, latching on to an Owen Elding pass and dispatching past former Sligo Rovers 'keeper Ed McGinty.

Shamrock Rovers did respond with Dan Cleary heading in after 33 minutes.

The Hoops then found an equaliser on 63 through another header, this time from Josh Honahan.

Another new signing Seb Quirk was introduced in the second but it was another substitute, Francely Lomboto who missed a guilt edge opportunity to give The Bit O'Red all three points.

The result leaves Sligo Rovers five points ahead of bottom of the table Cork City and seven off 8th place Waterford.

While Shamrock Rovers lead at the top of the table has stretched to 9 points ahead of second-placed Derry City, albeit with two games extra played.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds, Paddy McClean, Ollie Denham, Will Fitzgerald; James McManus (Seb Quirk 60), Jake Doyle-Hayes; Jad Hakiki; Owen Elding (Cian Kavanagh 85), Ryan O'Kane (Kyle McDonagh 91); Wilson Waweru (Francely Lomboto 60).

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Danny Grant, Josh Honohan (Maxim Kovalevskis 76); Matt Healy, Dylan Watts (Jack Byrne 63), Danny Mandroiu (Aaron McEneff 87); Rory Gaffney (John McGovern 76), Graham Burke (Michael Noonan 64).

Following the game, Ocean FM Sport's Ronan Flanagan spoke to Sligo Rovers manager John Russell and defender Patrick McClean: