League of Ireland Premier Division/ Cork City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0:Shamrock Rovers' plucky defensive performance in the second half last night ensured they took an important point from an enjoyable Eircom League Premier Division contest at Turner's Cross.

Cork should really have won the game and they maintained consistent pressure on the Rovers defence in the closing quarter of the game.

But Rovers refused to concede even though they were stretched to the limit with all 11 players dropping back to deny Cork City's closing onslaught.

Shamrock Rovers were strong and positive in their early approach to the game. Their attitude helped the level of entertainment, for they attacked with conviction at every opportunity and the lively Ger Rowe caused Cork problems.

Rowe was close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the game when he managed to pull down and control a long clearance from Barry Ferguson on the edge of the Cork penalty area.

His neat turn deceived Dan Murray and helped him create space for a left-foot shot that was saved at full-stretch by Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine.

Cork tested visiting 'keeper Barry Murphy at the other end a minute earlier.

Roy O'Donovan ran to accept Joe Gamble's pass from a left-wing corner. His shot deflected to where Liam Kearney stepped wide of a tackle before striking a low right-foot shot that was well held by Murphy.

Rovers were much more circumspect in their second-half approach as Cork stepped up the pace of their game.

The visitors never hesitated to pull 10 players behind the ball whenever Cork threatened. Twice substitute Denis Behan almost won the game for Cork. He ran clear only to be robbed as goalkeeper Murphy dived bravely at his feet in the 83rd minute.

Then, four minutes from time, Behan got his head to a corner from Darragh Ryan but as the ball was hacked to safety, the referee denied Cork claims that it had already crossed the line and Rovers held on to claim a hard-earned point.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Ryan; Gamble, Cillian Lordan, Softic, Kearney; O'Donovan, O'Flynn (Behan, 74 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; O'Brien, Ferguson, Ryan, Clarke; Pender (Cassidy, 46 mins), Barrett (O'Connor, 74 mins), Eric McGill, David McGill; Colbert (Myler, 55 mins), Rowe.

Referee: D McKeon(Dublin).