Sligo edge out Pike

HOLDERS Sligo Rovers were given a major scare before emerging narrow winners over FAI Junior Cup holders Pike Rovers in this FAI Ford Cup third round tie at the Showgrounds last night.

Sligo enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half but their attempts on goal were frustrated by the visitors’ tenacious defending.

And Pike Rovers shocked the FAI Cup holders in the 57th minute when Colm Carroll opened the scoring.

Sligo levelled after 61 minutes with Jason McGuinness on target for his first goal for the club.

The holders went ahead for the first time on 67 minutes when McGuinness headed the ball past Pike keeper Gary Neville.

The home side went further ahead four minutes later when a shot by sub Raffaele Cretaro took a deflection off Pike defender Brian Cleary on its way to the net.

But the Limerick men weren’t finished yet and when David Ryan scored his side’s second on 85 minutes, a replay looked a real possibility but the home side held on.

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke, Russell, Kirby, Greene, Ventre, Foran, Keane, McGuinness, Davoren, Horgan, Blinkhorn.

PIKE ROVERS, Neville, Colbert, O’Donovan, Mullins, Cleary, Kavanagh, Hartnett, Hanrahan, Ryan, Tierney, Carroll.

Referee: Paul McLoughlin, Monaghan.