Rouse to the rescue for Monaghan

Finn Harps………….0

Monaghan United…..0

Chris McNulty

at Finn Park, Ballybofey

GOALKEEPER Alvin Rouse helped Monaghan United earn a priceless away point from their trip to Ballybofey last night as a string of important saves from the ex Sligo Rovers man kept Finn Harps at bay.

On what was a frustrating night at the office for the home support, Rouse stepped up to the mark time after time as Harps laid siege on his goal in search of the elusive breakthrough.

Harps manager Paul Hegarty, who watched from the stand due to a touchline suspension, was able to welcome Shaun Holmes into his side for the first time after the former Northern Ireland international was granted an exemption from the ‘two clubs' rule.

Holmes started on the left side of the Harps midfield while Eloka Asokhu was recalled to the right back slot in favour of Shaun McGowan.

Monaghan, meanwhile, welcomed Willie Doyle into their line up after the striker received a similar dispensation to Shaun Holmes last week.

The home side enjoyed the better of the first half chances, but were unable to turn their possession into goals. Midfielder Tony Shields fired a left-footed effort from inside the box wide of goal after a neat chest down from Stephen Parkhouse as the half neared a conclusion.

And, a minute later, Eloka Asokhu shot over the bar from 20yards when he was teed up by Conor Gethins who had worked a neat short-corner move with the help of Jonathan Minnock and Stephen Parkhouse.

Moments after the break, Rouse kept out a Shaun Holmes free kick and, just as Asokhu was about to pounce on the rebound, full back Brian Gannon cleared for a corner.

Harps had the ball in the net on 68minutes, but Barry Curran's effort at the back post was ruled out for an offside.

As the game wore on, the home side began to press harder, but they were finding resilient opponents in the form of Mick Cooke's side with Alvin Rouse in particular keeping the blue tide at bay.

With five minutes remaining, Rouse spilled an effort from Holmes, but recovered well to thwart the efforts of Conor Gethins who was on hand with the follow up.

On the stroke of full-time, the Mons net minder denied Gethins for a second time after the Lifford man was first to react when Parkhouse saw his shot from 20yards saved by Rouse.

Five minutes of added on time at the end failed to yield anything in the way of a breakthrough, leaving the sides to settle for a share of the spoils.

Last night's game started a busy weekend for Harps. They face fellow Donegal side, Fanad United, on Sunday night next in the League Cup.

Finn Harps: Gallagher, Asokhu, Minnock, Boyle, Simms, O'Loughlin, Breen (Curran `45), Shields (Funston `66), Holmes, Parkhouse, Gethins.

Monaghan United: Rouse, Gannon, Williamson, Friel (Heffernan `76), Mooney, Feeney, Finnegan (Meenan `66), Darcy, Farrell, Doyle, Mackey.

Referee: Dan Deady