Sligo Rovers moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier Division table with a 0-0 draw at St. Patrick's Athletic.

The draw stretched Ian Baraclough's side's unbeaten league run to ten games and yet another step closer to a first league title in 35 years.

While Sligo defender Gavin Peers had the only clear opening of the first half when his header was saved by St. Pat's keeper Barry Murphy, the home side should have won it with the best chance of the match on 73 minutes. Played in by winger Jake Kelly, topscorer Christy Fagan only had Sligo keeper Gary Rogers to beat, but pulled his shot wide.

Tommy Stewart was their super-sub as Shamrock Rovers, the 24-times record winners, eased through to the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup as they beat Cork City 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium.

Striker Stewart broke the deadlock on 70 minutes with his first touch after fellow substitute Billy Dennehy set him up from a Gary McCabe free kick.,

Stewart then sealed Rovers' passage seven minutes later with a stunning goal, a left-foot drive from all of 30 yards.

Despite dominating for long stretches, Shelbourne made hard work of beating non-league Cherry Orchard 3-2 at Tolka Park.

Cherry Orchard snatched the lead through Mark Hughes' 30th minute penalty before Philly Hughes levelled with a spot kick at the other end five minutes before the break.

Hughes then headed Shels in front on 78 minutes with substitute Conan Byrne making it 3-1 two minutes later.

Shels had a nervous finish, however, as Hughes pulled a second goal back for Cherry Orchard on 84 minutes.

David McDaid got the only goal of the game as Derry City finished with ten men in beating UCD at the UCD Bowl.

The goal came on 70 minutes when McDaid volleyed home following UCD's failure to defend a corner.

Derry then had central defender Stewart Greacen sent off for s second booking on 86 minutes.

A solitary goal from Peter Hynes put Drogheda United safely through against First Division Wexford Youths at Hunky Dorys Park.

Peter Hynes got the only goal of the game on 27 minutes following a flowing move out of defence involving Brian Gannon, Tiarnan Mulvenna and Ryan Brennan.

Central defender Evan McMillan scored for the second week running as Bohemians missed two penalties before securing their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Intermediate Cup holders Avondale United at Dalymount Park. McMillan scored with a header two minutes before half-time.

Dundalk recorded their biggest win of the season to ease past non-league Maladhide United 4-0 at Gannon Park.

Gary Shanahan put Dundalk ahead on nine minutes with Mark Griffin's free kick doubling the lead in first half stoppage time.

Malahide keeper Pat Dunne saved a peantly from Dundalk skipper Chris Shields on 70 minutes to keep his side in the game.

But Lorcan Shannon sealed Dundalk's passage five minutes later with their third goal.

Malahide then had Alan O'Keeffe sent off within a three further minutes for a bad tackle on Michael Rafter.

Substitute Bob McKenna added Dundalk's fourth goal in the final minute.