THE terraces were vacant at Oriel Park last night where the home side experienced their worst turnout for a long time. However, those who did turn up were treated to a fair game especially in the second half despite the lack of goals.

Both sides played good attacking football but neither had the players up front capable of scoring. Although Shamrock Rovers enjoyed most of the possession, it was Dundalk who had the best scoring chances.

Sean Francis was Shamrock Rovers' most constructive player, but Derek McGrath and Derek Tracey were guilty of missing good scoring chances.

For Dundalk Stephen Napier had a very good game in defence and deservedly won the Man of the Match award, while up front Joe Hanrahan and Brian Byrne troubled the visitors' defence. However forward Joe Gallen missed a number of good scoring opportunities.

Peter Withnell replaced Gallen for the second half and showed a bit more enthusiasm but was not good enough to beat Alan O'Neill.

The nearest we came to a score in the first period was a well taken free kick by Hanrahan in the 30th minute which went just over the crossbar.

In the second period Mark Reid who had come on as a substitute was a little unlucky when he got his foot to a cross by Ray Carolan but somehow the Dundalk goalkeeper, John Connolly, cleared the ball off the line with his foot.