Wexford Youths 2-1 Sligo Rovers
A last gasp goal from substitute Andrew Mulligan saw Wexford Youths progress through to the quarter final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, as they beat an underwhelming Sligo Rovers at a wet and windy Ferrycarrig Park.
Shane Dempsey had given the Youths a 20th minute lead with a wonderfully hit volley before Rovers levelled the game just past the hour through Raffaele Cretaro.
The tie looked as if it was destined for a Monday night replay at the Showgrounds before Mulligan popped up in the 93rd minute to seal Wexford's first ever win over the Bit O'Red.
Both sides struggled to put together decent patterns of play in inclement conditions in the south east.
Dempsey lit up what was a cagey affair early on. In ample space and with the tie's first attempt at goal, the Youths midfielder unleashed an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area which arrowed its way past Micheál Schlingermann and into the top corner of the Sligo net.
The away side relied heavily on attempted long balls through the middle but failed to trouble a well drilled Wexford defence during the opening stages. Goalkeeper Schlingermann had to be alert to come and claim Danny Ledwith's long ball just short of the half hour with Aidan Keenan in close proximity.
It took 32 minutes for a disappointing Sligo to produce their first shot in anger, with Kieran Sadlier firing wide from the angle.
A spirited Wexford, who made eight changes from last week's defeat to Shamrock Rovers, came a whisker away from doubling their lead on 36. The unmarked Keenan was at full stretch at the front post in an attempt to reach Andrew O'Connor's cross. However, the ball narrowly evaded the left foot of the incoming striker.
Youths had to rely on their captain and net minder Graham Doyle to keep the game level moments later.
Sadlier's set piece was knocked into the path of Cretaro by his strike partner Achille Campion. Doyle pounced to dive on to the French man's close range effort as he somehow managed to keep Sligo at bay.
Wexford deservedly retaining the lead until the break.
Sligo began the second half with much more purpose and went close to an equaliser five minutes in as conditions further deteriorated. Daniel Kearns teeing up Sadlier who saw his effort whip across the face of goal with Doyle concerned.
Campion fired straight at the Youths skipper just short of the hour mark while Schlingermann's quick thinking denied Eoin Porter's low effort a the other end soon after.
Rovers levelled the tie on 64. Cretaro, Sligo's only change from their defeat at Dalymount Park on Monday, muscled his way past several defenders as he glided across the edge of the area. The veteran seemed to take forever to shoot before finally showing his expert touch as he found space between Doyle and the back post for the equaliser.
Porter had Schlingermann back-peddling four minutes from time when sloppy play from Craig Roddan saw the midfielder assume possession in the middle. Porter's shot from distance took a touch off Mick Leahy before spinning in the wind and landing just beyond the Mayo man's crossbar.
And for the second time in the space of five days, Sligo were sucker-punched at the death. Cretaro wastefully conceding play inside his own half before substitute Jon Bonner combined with fellow change Andrew Mulligan. The later slipping the ball beyond Schlingermann and sending Wexford through.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Aidan Friel, Lee Grace, Stephen Last, Andrew O'Connor; Conor Whittle (Conor O'Keeffe 87), Shane Dempsey (Jon Bonner 82), Eoin Porter, Peter Higgins, Danny Ledwith (Andrew Mulligan 65); Aidan Keenan.
Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Mick Leahy, Gavin Peers, Jimmy Keohane; Daniel Kearns, Kieran Sadlier (John Russell 75), Craig Roddan, Liam Martin; Raffaele Cretaro, Achille Campion (Phil Roberts 80).
