Sligo R 0 Monaghan U 0:SLIGO ROVERS' grip on the FAI Ford Cup is still in the balance following their scoreless draw with Monaghan at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Rovers had the lions share of the scoring chances over the 90 minutes but they were erratic at times and whenever Paul Cooks side got the ball on target Monaghan keeper Gabriel Sava or the woodwork came to the rescue.

Substitute Matthew Blinkhorn had a glorious chance to put the holders into the next round a minute into stoppage time at the end of a rousing encounter but his angled shot came back off the crossbar. Both sides finished the game with 10 players. Sligo goalkeeper Brendan Clarke was shown a straight red card on 61 minutes after bringing down Nigerian striker Michael Isichei following some sloppy defending by the hosts and Roddy Collins also saw his side down a man after 75 minutes when Keith Quinn received his marching orders for an off-the-ball incident involving Rovers captain Richie Ryan.

Joseph Ndo went close for the home side after seven minutes before Michael Isichei had a shot cleared. Ndo, Raffaele Cretaro and Gavin Peers had chances for Sligo.

John Dillon, Eoin Doyle and Jason McGuinness tested the Monaghan goalkeeper in the second half but the visitors were unable to unhinge the home defence.

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Davoren, Peers, Ventre, McGuinness, Ryan, Russell, Greene, Ndo, Cretaro. Subs: Kelly for Russell 63, Blinkhorn for Greene 68, Dillon for Ryan 76.

MONAGHAN UTD: Sava; Reilly, Grimes, Collins, Marks, A Byrne, Foley, Quinn, A Brennan, S Brennan, Isichei. Subs: P Byrne for S Brennan 94 mins.

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).