Dave Scully’s second half header was enough to cancel out Gary’s Shaw’s first half goal for the Dublin outfit.
The man of the match award was given to Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher thanks to a number of terrific saves to keep Pat Fenlon’s side at bay.
Harps came into the game having lost three games in a row and conceding 12 goals.
But despite putting a five man defensive wall up form the start, Ollie Horgan’s side were behind after just eight minutes.
Gary McCabe and Brandon Miele also had first half chances to put the game beyond the Donegal team in the opening period but Gallagher was in fine form.
They battled hard for the rest of the first half however and Scully managed to draw the sides level.
Rovers were reduced to ten men when McCabe was red-carded after an off the ball incident.
Michael Finston could have stole it in the end for Harps but it would have been cruel on the home side.
Horgan’s side will be happy to get some points back on the board and can hopefully rebuild from here.
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Rob Cornwall, Sean Heaney, David O’Connor; Killian Brennan, Stephen McPhail (Pat Cregg 80); Dean Clarke (Danny North 70), Gary McCabe, Brandon Miele (James Doona 86); Gary Shaw.
Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Max Blanchard, Richard Purdy, Sean Boyd.
Booked: Danny North (85), Killian Brennan (87).
Sent Off: Gary McCabe (66).
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ethan Boyle (Josh Mailey 90+3), Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey, Tommy McMonagle, Ciaran Coll; Michael Funston, Gareth Harkin, Adam Hanlon (Tony McNamee 71); Dave Scully (Kevin McHugh 62), Sean Houston.
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Keith Cowan, Michael Rafter, Ryan Curran.
Booked: Dave Scully (45).