Sligo Rovers 2 - 1 Drogheda United

• David Goulden
• Sun, Oct 03 2010


Sligo Rovers took full advantage of St Pat's and Sporting Fingal's 2-2 draw with a 2-1 win over Drogheda United at The Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Gary McCabe's 81st minute volley puts Rovers in third position in the Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division. John Gibson replaced Ciaran Kelly in goal for Sligo, while Gary McCabe took his place on the wing which was Rovers' only changes. .

For Drogheda, Ryan Brennan and Eric McGill returned from bans while Brendan McGill and Glen Fitzpatrick missed out through injury and suspension respectively. Jamie Harris and John Flood also came into the team for what was Bobby Browne's first game in charge of the Drogs. .

An uneventful first 15 minutes looked to break into life when Jim Lauchlan and Peter McMahon both had chances. Lauchlan almost deflected Richie Ryan's free kick into the net for Sligo, while McMahon's shot from inside the area was blocked by Gavin Peers. .

Rovers took the lead on 26 minutes when John Russell's cross led to Matthew Blinkhorn getting tripped in the penalty area. Alan Keane sent United 'keeper Robert Duggan the wrong way to give the home side the lead. Matthew Blinkhorn could have doubled Rovers' lead when he met a cross from Romuald Boco, but Blinkhorn's header didn't have enough behind it to trouble Duggan. .

Jim Lauchlan was solid at the back for the Bit O'Red and he charged down John Flood's 43rd minute shot. Drogheda continued to knock on the Sligo door and found an equalizer on 60 minutes. John Gibson let Eric McGill's cross spin over his head as he was back peddling to level the scores. .

McCabe and Russell had good chances for Paul Cook's men, the best of which McCabe pulled wide as he found himself one on one with Duggan. Russell then had another great chance to put Sligo ahead on 70 minutes when Duggan failed to deal with a McCabe cross from the right. Russell failed to react quick enough to Duggan's mistake as he let the ball slip under his hands but the former Galway midfielder struggled to control the ball as it reached him. .

Rovers did take the lead on 81 minutes as McCabe caught a Lauchlan header on his right foot to volley into the roof of the net after a Joseph Ndo free kick. Sligo now move into third position in the Premier Division, while Drogheda remain rooted to the foot of the table. .

Sligo Rovers: John Gibson; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jim Lauchlan, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Romuald Boco ( John Dillon HT), Richie Ryan, John Russell, Joseph Ndo, Gary McCabe; Matthew Blinkhorn (Eoin Doyle 77).

Drogheda United: Robert Duggan; Eric McGill, Alan McNally, Jamie Harris, Yael Haro; Darren Meenan, Michael Daly, Paul Crowley, Ryan Brennan (Eoghan Osbourne 85); Peter McMahon, John Flood.

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)
Attendance: 1,900 (est)
extratime.ie man of the match: Sligo Rovers' Jim Lauchlan