Buckley hails Christy Fagan impact after Sligo draw

Liam Buckley was delighted to see Christy Fagan get back on the goal trail against Sligo Rovers on Friday night.

The St Patrick’s Athletic boss was less pleased with his side having to settle for another draw from a winning position.

Their 1-1 stalemate from a cracking game by the Camac with the Bit o’ Red stretched Saints’ unbeaten run to four games. But they’ve now drawn four of their last six in the league, having led in three of them.

And Buckley wants to see a more clinical edge in front of goal to get his side further up the table than their current placing of eighth, which has them out of the relegation spots, though only on goal difference.

Fagan, still not 100% sharp following injury, showed his predatory instinct to head Saints in front before half-time with his second goal of the season. A focused Sligo were always well in the game, though, and deservedly levelled on 81 minutes from centre-half Michael Leahy’s header.

“Christy had been out for a month with a hamstring injury and we’re just trying to get him back, which can be tricky,” said Buckley of his star striker.

“We trying to get him back up to match fitness. He’s working hard at it and doing really well.

“I’ve no doubt there is more in him. We just need to get him more chances and he’ll definitely score goals.

“It is for us all, bearing in mind where we’re at,” added Buckley on the frustration of getting Fagan back firing on all cylinders and trying to get more wins on board.

“We led in Galway and ended up with a draw. We led in Derry and ended up with a draw. We were leading on Friday and ended up with another draw. We just need to convert those into wins.

“We’ve steadied the ship a little bit," continued Buckley. "That said, if you take the top two or three out of it, there is very little between the rest of the teams.

“The difference is between winning and drawing; going and winning two or three matches, rather than drawing when you’d drop six points.”