- Alan Finn
- Sat, Apr 27 2013
It was hectic night in The Showgrounds on Saturday as Sligo Rovers played out an enthralling 2-2 draw with Drogheda United.
Aaron Greene looked to have won a valuable three points for the home side when he scored in the 90th minute to make it 2-1, but with the last kick of the game Drogs claimed a point through substitute Graham Rusk.
Anthony Elding had the first opportunity of the game after 11 minutes when he ran on to a quick free-kick from Joseph Ndo, but he failed to connect with it properly and it rolled harmlessly into Gabriel Sava’s path.
Drogheda were growing in confidence as the game continued and they made their pressure count in the 22nd minute when the Sligo defence failed to deal with a David Cassidy free-kick which fell to Declan O’Brien who made no mistake as he found the back of the net from a tight angle.
This goal seemed to knock Rovers confidence as they suddenly looked out of ideas as they went in search of an equaliser. There were calls for a penalty in the 33rd minute when Shane Grimes appeared to handle the ball in the box, but referee Anthony Buttimer waved away their protests.
A cross from Ross Gaynor looked set to be clutched out of the air by Sava, but the onrushing Elding managed to get his head to it. The Italian keeper reacted quickly to then recover it for a second time as Drogs took a one goal lead into the break.
It took almost 20 minutes of the second half for the league leaders to carve out a chance as Elding saw a shot saved by Sava before Pascal Millien had a header cleared off the line.
Sligo eventually found the back of the net after 67 minutes when a ball from Aaron Greene was met by Elding who met it with his head for his tenth League goal of the season.
A few minutes of madness ensued as a small number of Drogheda fans encroached the pitch before Ross Gaynor was sent off following an off the ball incident.
The home side now had new found belief in themselves and they looked to have secured three points when Danny Ventre’s scuffed effort ended up with Aaron Greene whose shot trickled over the line.
As the game entered its sixth additional minute, there was time for even more drama as a quick Drogs counter-attack resulted in a goal when Graham Rusk’s effort found its way into Rogers goal despite best efforts of Gavin Peers.
Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Evan McMillan, Ross Gaynor; David Cawley (Danny Ventre 84), Lee Lynch (Jeff Henderson 90) , Joseph Ndo, Pascal Millien (Kieran Djilali 77), Aaron Greene; Anthony Elding.
Subs not used: Adam Murphy (GK), Marty Owens, Ryan Connolly, Liam Martin.
Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava; Brian Gannon, Alan Byrne, Derek Prendergast (Alan McNally 61), Shane Grimes; Paul O’Conor (Eric Foley 76) David Cassidy, Declan O’Brien (Graham Rusk 89), Gavin Brennan; Michael Daly, Gary O’Neill.
Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann (GK), Stephen Quigley, Philip Hand, Peter Hynes.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 2,329
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Alan Keane (Sligo Rovers).
