Cork City 0 - 1 Sligo Rovers

It was another good Friday evening for Ian Baraclough and Sligo Rovers as they extended their gap at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division thanks to a narrow win over Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Friday night.

While not at their best in a game that was quite flat up until the latter stages, the Bit O’ Red still managed to get the win thanks to a real poacher’s finish from Danny North with 11 minutes to go after he capitalised on a poor piece of judgement from Cork skipper Dan Murray.

Ross Gaynor’s ball from the left should have been cleared easily by Murray but his timing was all wrong and as the ball slipped past him, it was met by an unmarked North and although he lost his footing, he managed to get the ball out from underneath himself and scrambled home.

Cork were aggrieved that Colin Healy, who was playing at right back, was off the pitch at the time because of a blood injury and they were right to be a bit annoyed because Gaynor's cross came from the area Healy had manned quite well all evening. 

On another disappointing night for City, they did decent enough for long spells but there was no gold at the end of the rainbow. The home side made one change from last week’s win over Monaghan United, and it proved to be a bit of a strange one with usual central midfielder Healy lining out in defence, with John Dunleavy, who is recognised as a  natural wing-back, swapping roles and remaining in midfield.

Sligo, in their pristine all-white kit, started with a larger share of possession but didn’t really do much to threaten home goalkeeper Mark McNulty until well into the second half. Indeed, the first 25 minutes of the game was a non-event in terms of goalmouth action.

Danny North headed over a cross from a Joseph Ndo free on 21 minutes but other than that the better chances before the break came at the other end.

Davin O’Neill was simmering with confidence after his hat-trick last weekend and along with Daryl Horgan, provided the most excitement for the home team, hitting the bar with the first shot of note 36 minutes in. Two minutes later the home team went close again when O’Neill nutmegged Gavin Peers before playing to Horgan, whose shot was well saved by Gary Rogers.

Despite much huffing and puffing, the Bit O’Red didn’t really look like getting a goal until the last play of the opening half. And even then, Romauld Boco’s header was narrowly over the bar with McNulty scrambling after a nice pass for Ross Gaynor.

The beginning of the second half saw the game continue in a tepid fashion and it wasn’t until a fantastic block from Healy – perhaps proving the gamble of putting him at the back was worthwhile – after Lee Lynch’s goal headed towards goal on 69 minutes that the game found some life.

Mark Quigley’s rebounded header was claimed by McNulty, while Cork too went close with a lightning quick break that saw Horgan race forward and cross to Shane Duggan though his header missed the target.  

Horgan then went close to scoring from Ian Turner’s cross but once again it was a late goal that left the home support going home unhappy.

They can take positives, of course, with an improved shape and a much more organised feel to the side, but Sligo's patience on a night where they weren't given too much time in the final third eventually paid off.

Cork City: Mark McNulty; Colin Healy, Dan Murray, Kalen Spillane, Danny Murphy; Gearóid Morrissey, Shane Duggan, John Dunleavy (Ian Turner 50), Daryl Horgan; Vinny Sullivan (Tadhg Purcell 74), Davin O’Neill.

Subs not used: Kevin Burns, Gavin Kavanagh, Cathal Lordan, Stephen Kenny, Shane O’Connor.

Bookings: None.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Danny Ventre, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Lee Lynch, Romauld Boco (Pascal Millien 72), Joseph Ndo, Ross Gaynor; Mark Quigley (Raffaele Cretaro 81), Danny North (David Cawley 87).

Subs not used: Richard Brush, John Dillon, Jake Dykes, Martin Owens.

Booked: Joseph Ndo (51).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Official attendance: 3,142.

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Danny North.