Sligo Rovers 1-0 Dundalk

Gary McCabe got the all-important goal that moved Sligo Rovers back to fourth in the Airtricity League Premier Division - overnight at least.

The winger scored the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute of Saturday evening's tie against Dundalk at the Showgrounds.

McCabe had wasted a similar opportunity just ten minutes beforehand, but made no mistake when given a second chance thanks to Joseph Ndo's pass.

Dundalk were without Sligo native Alan Cawley, who is set to miss the rest of the season with a back injury.

Liam Burns, Nathan Murphy and Shane Lennon also missed out through injury, while Neale Fenn announced his retirement from the game midweek, allowing new signing Matthew Tipton to make his debut up front.

Sligo were without the suspended trio of Richie Ryan, Gavin Peers and Danny Ventre, while Richard Brush is also expected to miss the remainder of the season because of a wrist injury.

John Gibson came straight in for his debut in place of Brush in goals, while another new signing, Nelson Vieira was among the substitutes. The re-signed Romuald Boco was not in the matchday squad.

Gibson dealt well with everything thrown at him in the opening half, but most of the action was at the other end, with the home side dominating the first period.

They struggled creatively in the final third, however, with the two best chances coming from Alan Keane crosses.

The first came on 15 minutes when the full-back cut inside on his left foot, but John Russell couldn't get a clean connection in front of goal.

On 41 minutes, Keane swung another cross in - this time with his right foot - but Padraig Amond's header went the wrong side of the post.

Amond had another chance on the stroke of half-time, but his low shot was dealt with by Peter Cherrie.

Dundalk didn't offer too much in the first half, but Fahrudin Kuduzovic created a chance for himself early in the second half, only to fire over the top.

But Rovers really should have taken the lead on 50 minutes, when Ndo's pass picked out an unmarked McCabe inside the box, but the winger dragged his shot across the face of goal and wide.

But he made no mistake when presented with an almost identical chance just after the hour-mark. Again Ndo provided the assist, and McCabe tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

Dundalk tried to respond, with Gaynor releasing Kuduzovic, and only a great covering tackle by Keane preventing the former Rovers player from getting through.

But, with Matthew Blinkhorn coming on up front to good effect for the home side, they could have doubled the advantage late on, with Ndo twice threatening and another sub, John Dillon, also going close.

Sligo Rovers: 1 John Gibson; 2 Alan Keane, 16 Derek Foran, 20 Jim Lauchlan, 3 Iarfhlaith Davoren; 21 Gary McCabe, 6 Conor O'Grady (Captain), 8 John Russell, 11 Eoin Doyle (7 John Dillon 70); 15 Joseph Ndo, 10 Padraig Amond (9 Matthew Blinkhorn 70).
Subs not used: 17 Nelson Vieira, 18 Jason McCartney, 19 Ciaran Kelly.
Booked: O'Grady (34)

Dundalk: 1 Peter Cherrie; 12 Simon Madden, 15 Ciaran McGuigan, 3 Wayne Hatswell, 2 Shaun Kelly;, 23 Michael McGowan, 7 Stephen Maher (Captain), 4 Tom Miller, 11 Ross Gaynor; 9 Fahrudin Kuduzovic, 10 Matthew Tipton.
Subs not used: 16 Stephen McDonnell, 17 Tiarnan Mulvenna, 18 Mark Griffin, 19 Johnny Breen, 22 Paul Murphy.
Booked: Miller (82).

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).