Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Amy Mahon saved an injury-time penalty as Wexford Youths failed to capitalise on Women's National League table-toppers Shelbourne drawing with Galway.
Emma Doherty had given the Bit O’Red the lead at the Showrounds in 68th minute when she lobbed Youths goalkeeper Maeve Williams with a wonderful long range finish.
A frustrated Wexford laid siege to the Sligo goal late in the game and looked like they might rescue a point at the death.
But Mahon’s heroics kept the points in the north west as she kept out Wexford skipper Kylie Murphy from 12 yards to earn Steve Feeney’s side a famous victory in their maiden season in senior football.
On their first ever visit to Sligo, it was the visitors who carved out the majority of the early chances in an opening half in which the hosts matched their more illustrious opponents.
Irish international Ellen Molloy, Youths captain Murphy and full back Orlaith Conlon all fashioned opportunities, but Rovers kept pace with Wexford.
Winger Gemma McGuinness using both feet to skip by her opponent, however the former Derry winger saw her effort held by Wexford net minder Williams.
Rovers lost first choice goalkeeper Kristen Sample to a long-term injury earlier this season and will rely on rookie Amy Mahon between the sticks for the remainder of the season.
The Charlestown native has been in impressive form since her call-up and pulled off a wonderful save to deny Ciara Rossiter just short of the half hour.
The hosts continued to deal with anything Youths could throw at them and themselves were a constant threat on the counter. Neither Jessica Casey or Emma Doherty could get a crucial touch to McGuinness’ dangerous cross from the left on 32 minutes.
While Lauren Boles really should have had Sligo in the lead two minutes from the break, but unmarked, she could only blaze over from five yards after Amy Hyndman’s well weighted cross.
Edel Kennedy saw her header flash past Mahon’s goal from a Rossiter free early in the second half. While Rovers’ Emma Doherty saw a similar effort go the same way after trojan work from Paula McGrory, who muscled her way past Conlon before supplying the cross on the hour.
SAVE 🧤| Sligo Rovers 1-0 Wexford Youths
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) June 4, 2022
Dramatic scenes late on at The Showgrounds, as Amy Mahon saves Kylie Murphy's penalty!#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/ELfojYYgzK
Murphy was next to head wide at the Sligo end, two minutes before Rovers moved into the lead in spectacular fashion.
Emma Doherty making the most of a heavy touch in the Wexford defence after Kerri O’Hara applied the pressure. Doherty executing a deft chip from 25 yards out, over Williams in the Youth nets for her sixth goal of the season.
Mahon had to be alive straight from the re-start as Rossiter and Murphy were involved in a swift Youths press. Possession ending up with Molloy, but again Mahon held firm to fist away the Kilkenny woman’s drive at the target.
The Leinster side continued to turn up chances as the half wore on. Molloy twice left frustrated, once by the superb Mahon and the second time by under-par finishing as this game looked to be slipping away from Stephen Quinn’s charges.
SAVE 🧤| Sligo Rovers 1-0 Wexford Youths
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) June 4, 2022
Dramatic scenes late on at The Showgrounds, as Amy Mahon saves Kylie Murphy's penalty!#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/ELfojYYgzK
Rovers soaked up a huge amount of pressure at the death and were almost denied a famous victory when referee Michael Connolly adjudged Amy Roddy to have handled the ball inside her own area.
But player-of-the-match Mahon was again the thorn in Wexford’s side as she got behind Murphy’s spot kick, the final act of the game.
Sligo Rovers: Amy Mahon, Jessica Casey (Kerri O’Hara 60), Orna O’Dowd (Ruth Monaghan 74), Amy Hyndman, Amy Roddy, Lauren Boles, Leah Kelly, Fiona Doherty (Katie Melly 74), Paula McGrory (Aoife Brennan 86), Gemma McGuiness (Lauren McLellan 86), Emma Doherty.
Wexford Youths: Maeve Williams, Orlaith Conlon, Della Doherty, Lauren Dwyer (Emma Donohoe 26), Kylie Murphy, Edel Kennedy (Emma Walker 93), Ellen Molloy, Ciara Rossiter, Meabh Russell, Nicola Sinnott, Siun Murdiff (Teegan Lynch 88).
Referee: Michael Connolly.
GOAL ⚽️ | Shelbourne 1-1 Galway WFC
— Women's National League (@LoiWomen) June 4, 2022
Jenna Slattery that is fantastic 🎯
It's all level at Tolka Park! Watch the remaining minutes on LOITV 👉 https://t.co/3ogdCe1hA3#WNL | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/wa8fWBT7k9
Shelbourne are eight points clear at the summit after a 1-1 draw against Galway at Tolka Park.
The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute when Saoirse Noonan brilliantly volleyed home Chloe Mustaki's deep cross.
However Galway dug deep to keep themselves in the game and they nicked a point thanks to Jenna Slattery's excellent lob with 18 minutes to go.
Athlone Town continued their fine form to stay in third as they beat Bohemians 2-1.
It was goalless until the 71st minjute, when Emily Corbet finally broke the deadlock for Athlone. Sixty seconds later Roisin Molloy's deflected effort doubled the home side's advantage.
Bohs pulled one back in the 88th minute through Erica Burke but Athlone held on.
Peamount United demolished Cork City 7-0. Stephanie Roche, Aine O'Gorman and Sadhbh Doyle (2) had the Peas 4-0 up by half-time. On the turnaround O'Gorman struck twice to complete her hat-trick, with Michelle Doonan completing the rout.
DLR Waves were also on the goal trail; they turned over Treaty United 4-0 thanks to goals from Avril Brierley (2), Carla McManus and Mia Dodd.
