Goals from Faz Kuduzovic and Davin O'Neill saw Roy Keane's return home end in a 2-0 defeat to Cork City. The Blues should have been ahead in the first half but Cork keeper Dan Connor made fine saves from Connor Wickham and Jon Stead.

Wickham created the game's first chance for himself in the 14th minute, robbing Kevin Long and taking the ball on into the area only for keeper Connor to save well.

Town were enjoying most of the possession but chances were rare, Owen Garvan's 28th minute deflected shot from outside the area the nearest thing to goalmouth action.

On the half hour, Tim Kiely failed to get a decent connection on Billy Dennehy's cross from the right, then four minutes later Shane Supple was out quickly to claim ahead of Kiely.

The Blues had their second decent chance of the first half with a minute remaining, Liam Trotter playing a ball over the top for Jon Stead, who cut inside a defender but saw his shot excellently stopped by Connor.

Town had dominated possession and at times had passed the ball slickly, however, without creating anything other than Wickham and Stead's chances.

Manager Roy Keane made no changes at the break and within five minutes of the restart the Blues were a goal down. Faz Kuduzovic got behind Tommy Smith inside the area and appeared to be clipped by the defender.

The Bosnian-born frontman took the spotkick himself and lashed the ball high to Shane Supple's left.

The Blues had made little impact after the break with the home side enjoying much the better of the second half. On 58 the expected changes came with Alex Bruce, Veliche Shumulikoski, Kevin Lisbie and David Norris replacing David Wright, Liam Trotter, Jon Walters and Owen Garvan.

Town switched from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation with Jon Stead on the right, Kevin Lisbie on the left, Connor Wickham in the centre and Lee Martin ahead of the other two central midfielders.

Gareth Cambridge shot across the face of the Blues' goal in the 63rd minute, then Cillian Lordan, brother of former Town academy player Cathal, tried to catch Supple off his line from distance but the ball flew over.

Town were continuing to look the poorer of the two sides, lacking the match sharpness of the home side, who are in the middle of their season.

On 73 Jon Stead cut in from the right and hit a shot which deflected across the face of goal and beyond David Norris.

Nine minutes later, Damien Delaney headed at the keeper after a corner had been nodded back into the box by Pim Balkestein, then at the other end Cambridge headed wide.

With five minutes remaining, Jordan Rhodes got his first real chance but shot wide after good work from Kevin Lisbie.

Cork sealed the victory on 86 when Davin O'Neill was played in on goal on the left of the area and slipped the ball past the advancing Supple.

The home side were worthy of their win on the balance of a second half when Town were never really in control of the game. Before the break the Blues had passed well and kept hold of the ball, but without threatening the home side too often.

Connor Wickham was bright in the first half but should have taken his chance and faded after the break, while Jordan Rhodes was unlucky not to net his chance after coming on in the second half.

New signing Lee Martin showed quick feet and clever skills, but appeared a little lightweight, especially when playing in the centre in the second half.

The other new boy and former Cork player Damien Delaney had a solid game at left-back and got forward on a number of occasions, but overall it was a disappointing display from Town back on Roy Keane's home turf.

Town: Supple, D Wright (Bruce 58), Delaney, Smith, Balkestein, Trotter (Shumulikoski 58), Walters (Lisbie 58), Garvan (Norris 58), Stead, Wickham (Rhodes 79), Martin. Unused: R Wright, Quinn, O'Connor. Att: 3,262.

Photo: Action Images

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