Sligo Rovers responded to their limp FAI Cup exit at the hands of Drogheda United last week with a much improved performance at Weavers Park – but John Russell's team still managed to throw away a two-goal lead.
Stefan Radosavljevic’s first half goal was the least that Sligo deserved, having controlled the game from the kick-off. Drogheda defender Conor Keeley put into his own net to double their advantage in the second half.
However, something sparked in Drogheda late in the day. They sprang to life almost immediately. Goals from Adam Foley, in the midst of a career best streak in front of goal, and Dayle Rooney secured a point.
Given Cork City fell to defeat to Turners Cross, a point shared edges both clubs slightly further away from danger at the foot of the table. However, there will be conflicting emotions in both camps.
Kevin Doherty will surely be pleased that his team, outplayed for much of the first hour save for a period just prior to half time, managed to earn a point. Russell will wonder how his team did not earn a first away win in seven attempts.
Kailin Barlow tested teenager goalkeeper Andrew Wogan early on, with Emmanuel Adegboyega on hand to clear after the goalkeeper parried a well struck effort.
He then had a hand in the opener, helping the ball into David Cawley's path. The recalled captain struck a shot across Wogan, hitting the upright. The loose ball fell perfectly for Radosavljevic. The Faroese international lashed a the ball into the empty net.
It was a fine team move and while Sligo comfortably bossed the possession for the remainder of the first half, they didn’t threaten the goal as much as Russell would have liked.
Their second goal arrived when Keeley headed Johan Brannefalk’s free kick into his own net. It was an uncharacteristic error that looked to have sealed his sides fate for the evening.
United hit back though, with Foley at the centre of things. When Luke McNicholas and Nando Pijnaker failed to take control of a routine ball forward, Darragh Markey stole in. The goalkeeper blocked his toe-poked effort but Foley headed in.
Foley with six in seven games, then turned provider. His cross was me by Warren Davis. His header looked to be dropping wide of the upright but Rooney popped up to divert past a despairing McNicholas on the line.
Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Luke Heeney, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Conor Keeley, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, Darragh Noone (Aaron McNally, 63); Adam Foley, Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney; Kyle Robinson (Warren Davis, 63).
Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Johan Brannefalk, John Mahon (Garry Buckley, 46), Nando Pijnaker, Niall Morahan; Greg Bolger, David Cawley (James Finnerty, 90+6), Lukas Browning; Kailin Barlow (Frank Liivak, 46) , Stefan Radosavljevic; Max Mata.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
