Monaghan entered the game having not tasted victory since defeating Cobh Ramblers 3-1 on the second day in April and were on the back of a disappointing 4-0 defeat to the Southerners on Friday which left them six points adrift at the foot of the table.

Monaghan in fact hadn't tasted victory since defeating Cobh way back on the second day in April.

Harps meanwhile made the short trip to The Farney County having let a two-goal lead slip on Saturday night against Galway United.

Marc Mukendi missed out through injury and his place in the back four was filled by Sean Mc Gowan, who played at right back with Eloka Asokhu moving in to partner Shane Bradley in the middle.

Barry Curran returned from suspension to take his place in the midfield at the expense of the player-boss.

In a pretty poor first half, chances were very much at a premium with little or nothing in the way of note-worth incidents occurring.

 

Barry Curran- went close several times

For Monaghan, David Lee had an enterprising lob go well wide of James Gallagher's goal while the hosts also had a penalty claim turned away when they felt that Shane Bradley had unfairly challenged Robbie Smith.

Smith then saw a teasing ball across the Harps penalty area roll out for a throw as none of his team-mates were on his wavelength.

At the other end, Jonathan Minnock had a 30-yard free kick dealt with by Tadgh Murphy who was down well at his right-hand post to avert the anger.

With half-time approaching, Matthew Crossan – who hit his first senior goal on Saturday night last – went close, but his cross-cum-shot was tipped away by Murphy with Chris Breen and Barry Curran lurking dangerously.

Mick Cooke's men were dealt a blow on the stoke of half-time when Finbar Heffernan was carried off on a stretcher and he was replaced by Alan Mc Nevin.

The first opening of the second period fell the way of Matthew Crossan, but the young Killea man was wide of the target after he pounced on a loose ball which broke when Barry Curran charged down a Murphy clearance.

Monaghan then started to come into the game more and only for Shane Bradley intervening to clear Paul Smith's cross away, Brian Cannon could have stole in for the opening goal.

Barry Curran then had a couple of good efforts for the visitors. First, he had a powerful strike from the edge of the box blocked and then he blazed over when a Minnock free fell to him.

Curran then got a card to match his jersey when he was booked for an off the ball tussle with Barry Burke who also saw yellow.

Glorious chances at both ends were then wasted as Sean Cooney succeeded only in hitting Murphy from six yards while at the other end Robbie Smith was unlucky as he had James Gallagher beaten but his lob went agonisingly over the bar.

Barry Curran had a lob from distance cleared off the line as Harps huffed and puffed for a winner, but it wasn't to be and they had to settle for a draw against the league's basement club.

Next up for Harps is a home tie against Limerick FC on Saturday night and these games are rapidly turning into must win clashes.

Monaghan United: Tadgh Murphy; Shane Harte, Kevin Cronin, Barry Burke, Darren Sargent; David Lee, Finbar Heffernan (Alan Mc Nevin), Brian Gannon, Stephen Finnegan; Robbie Smith, Paul Smyth.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean Mc Gowan (Gary Crossan), Jonathan Minnock, Eloka Asokhu, Shane Bradley; Barry Curran, Chris Malseed, Sean Cooney, Matthew Crossan (David Bell); Chris Breen (Darren Meenan), Davitt Walsh.

Referee: Derek Tomney