SIMON COLLINS reports

Appearing frustrated and, indeed, annoyed at dropping three points on home turf at a vital stage of the campaign, Kenny felt his players were ‘trying to be too precise on occasions’ during the game.

“I thought it was a match we didn’t really deserve to lose. In the first half we passed the ball really well, but we were trying to be too precise at times and I don’t think we penetrated enough.” declared the Dubliner.

“We didn't create enough clear-cut chances, particularly in the first half, although I felt Ciaran (Martyn) had a decent chance to break the deadlock during that period.

“I felt we played a lot of good stuff but the ball seemed to be in front of the Rovers’ defence quite a lot and, to be fair, they dealt with it well.”

He agreed that after the break, the ‘Candy Stripes’ seemed to up the tempo, his charges playing with a greater urgency.

“We did play with a greater urgency in the second half and we had all the ball - Rovers didn’t really have anything, indeed, they were hardly ever in our half,” he noted.

“But to lose the way we did was classic smash and grab I suppose. They caught us on the counter attack and scored with probably their only clear-cut chance of the match.

“We’re very disappointed because it was a match we felt we should have won. We created a few chances, but we missed the target quite a bit and we should have done better. So we’re very disappointed to lose.

“We couldn't seem to get in behind them enough. They defended deep and packed the midfield at times to try and negate the space.

“Niall McGinn did manage to cause them quite a few problems at times, Ciaran Martyn had a few chances and Mark Farren had an effort saved, but they just frustrated us on the night. We are all gutted to have lost the game, but what can you do?”

Commenting on Tadhg Purcell’s winning goal, eight minutes from the end, Kenny felt he needed to see the goal again.

“I’m not sure who stepped up, or if they needed to step up or not, but it was a good finish by the Rovers player and you have to take it on the chin,” he concluded.