Sligo Rovers 1-0 Waterford United

Matthew Blinkhorn's first goal since 8 August earned Sligo Rovers a place in the Ford FAI Cup final after a 1-0 defeat of Waterford Unitedat The Showgrounds.

The striker headed home from substitute Owen Morrison's perfect cross with just 14 minutes left, as Rovers progressed to the decider for the first time since 1994.

Morrison changed the game after his half-time introduction, marking his return from injury with an inspired performance that eventually secured the win for the Cup favourites.

Rovers, with keeper Richard Brush still absent through injury, started with the same team that defeated Derry City midweek.

Waterford were minus the suspended trio of Willie John Kiely, Alan Carey and Michael Devine, as well as the cup-tied Paul Walsh. Youngster Kevin Burns was given the nod in goals, while Graham Cummins returned from suspension in midfield.

Burns got an early confidence-booster when he did well to tip an early Rovers effort over the top. And Waterford made their presence felt with some crisp early tackling to prevent the home side from settling into the game.

And the Blues remained the better side, with bookings for Conor O'Grady and Danny Ventre highlighting Rovers' growing frustration.

Waterford went closest when a Watters free-kick needed a brave headed clearance from Alan Keane, and John Kearney sent his shot on the rebound off-target.

The second half was a different affair, however, with substitutes Owen Morrison and Richie Ryan helping to push the home side into the ascendancy.

Morrison, making his return from injury, was particularly effective, but it was Waterford who created the first chance of the half seven minutes in.

Kearney forced Ciaran Kelly into a diving save, and David Grincell crossed the rebound for strike partner Sullivan to head goalwards. Luckily for Rovers, the excellent Keane was well positioned to make the block, with Waterford shouts for handball ignored by referee Damien Hancock.

The official booked Sullivan soon after for putting the ball into the net with his hand following a Watters corner.

Rovers created four great chances to take the lead over the next ten minutes however. The first came when Raffaele Cretaro found Morrison in the area, and only a superb foot save from Burns kept the ball out.

Soon after, Kevin Murray was forced to intercept another goalbound effort from Morrison, while Kenny Browne deflected an Eoin Doyle shot past the post.

And O'Grady saw a shot from outside the area flash the wrong side of the post after some good work by Cretaro.

But persistence paid off for Morrison on 76 minutes, when his pinpoint cross picked out Blinkhorn to head home much to the delight of the most of the crowd that numbered over 4,000.

Sligo Rovers: 1 Ciaran Kelly; 2 Danny Ventre (12 Richie Ryan 56), 4 Gavin Peers, 5 Alan Keane, 3 Joe Kendrick; 7 Brian Cash (18 Owen Morrison HT), 6 Conor O'Grady (captain), 8 Romuald Boco, 11 Eoin Doyle; 9 Matthew Blinkhorn, 10 Raffaele Cretaro.

Subs not used: 13 Dean Marshall, 14 Rob Turner, 15 Martin Camano, 16 Darren Meenan, 17 Michael Schlingermann.

Booked: O'Grady (27), Ventre (29).

Waterford: 17 Kevin Burns; 23 Seamus Long, 4 Kevin Murray, 5 Kenny Browne (captain), 6 John Kearney; 11 Kevin Watters (16 Gary Dunphy 81), 15 Graham Cummins, 12 Stephen Grant, 33 Dave Warren; 10 David Grincell (3 Declan Woodgate 83), 18 Vinny Sullivan.

Subs not used: 7 Joe Mulcahy, 24 Kieran Fitzgerald, 14 Paul Carey, 1 Josh Byrne.

Booked: Kearney (37), Sullivan (57).

Referee: Damien Hancock.