Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley admitted he was underwhelmed by his team's display in their 2-1 victory over Waterford FC at the RSC, despite wonder goals from Romeo Parkes and Jordan Gibson to seal all three points.
Cian Kavanagh opened the scoring for the hosts, but Parkes and Gibson replied for Rovers, who moved to second in the table after last week's 1-1 draw against Dundalk.
"I was delighted with the three points, bearing in mind the way the game went. We didn't play particularly well," Buckley told RTÉ Sport.
"That said, we took our two goals fantastically well.
Despite taking all three points and scoring two stunning goals, Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley was not happy with his side's performance. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/ggPuVrfvNS
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 26, 2021
"Our general play was nowhere near up to scratch, to be honest. We've been bang average this evening. It's a great three points."
Man of the match Gibson, who also provided the assist for Parkes' second goal of the season, revealed: "Do you know what? I did it in training yesterday. I did the same thing - stepover, got in and it's gone out for a throw-in.
"Today, I just thought I'd try it again and luckily it's gone in the top corner.
"The most important thing is the three points. We wanted to win this game. We got a good point last week and we wanted to build on that."
Sligo Rovers don't do tap-ins. Having already set-up a cracker for their first goal, Jordan Gibson goes one better for their second. It's Waterford 1-2 Sligo Rovers. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/DeJu0XJPje
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 26, 2021
Waterford manager Kevin Sheedy was left to lament what might have been, with goalscorer Kavanagh and Shane Griffin denied by Rovers netminder Ed McGinty in the first half as the Blues went in search of a second goal.
"We had a good chance to make it 2-0 as well. Looking back, that would have been a big turning point in the game," the former Republic of Ireland international said.
"Again, we're desperately disappointed. The lads gave 100% commitment and we've just got beat by two wonder goals. The second one I'd have been proud of myself!"
Waterford manager Kevin Sheedy believes that his side are heading in the right direction and is confident that results will come. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/cfKnUDWYPg
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 26, 2021