Sligo battle back to pile on the pain for Lilies

DUNDALK were beaten by Sligo at the Showgrounds last night, despite taking an early lead in the game, and have now lost five of their last six league outings. Dundalk certainly didn’t look like a team in trouble early on when a positive start saw midfielder Sam Stanton dance his way past two challenges only to drag his resulting effort narrowly wide of the target. Sligo’s Ryan De Vries then inadvertently played possession straight to Pat Hoban who could only sky over from a profitable position after good play down the Dundalk left side. More hesitancy in the Sligo box saw McDonnell and goalkeeper Ed McGinty get their wires crossed, with the ball finally falling to Hoban who turned the ball home for Dundalk’s opener after 18 minuites. Sligo replied straight away. David Cawley sent the ball all the way through to the back post for Andre Wright to tap home for his maiden goal for the club with 20 minutes on the clock. In the second half, Liam Buckley’s charges got on top and took the lead on 51 minutes through a Lewis Banks header. Sligo could have added to their tally as they kept the pressure on but a combination of poor finishing and desperate defending denied them. There was little let up for the Lilywhites as substitutes Walter Figueira and Sligo new boy Mervyn Lorenzen both went close in quick succession in the last 10 minutes as Rovers looked to kill off the game. Dundalk pressed Rovers in added time but couldn’t find an elusive leveller. SLIGO ROVERS: E McGinty; L Banks, J Mahon, G Buckley; R McCourt; D Cawley (C Horgan 80), G Bolger, AMcDonnell (N Morahan 71); R De Vries (W Figueira 65), A Wright, J Kenny (Melvyn Lorenzen 65). Scorers: Wright 20, Banks 52. DUNDALK: A Abibi; C Dummigan, A Boyle, S Nattestad, R Jurkovskis; G Sloggett, S Stanton (S Murray 79); S Ben Amar (M Animasahun 57), W Patching, M Duffy; P Hoban. Scorer: Hoban 18. Referee: Ben Connolly.