Dundalk resistance broken by North as Sligo go clear at top
The table-toppers looked sluggish after the mid-season break and were very much second fiddle for long periods of the game.
A major shock looked on the cards when Michael Rafter nodded Dundalk in front on 37 minutes. However, goals either side of half time from Danny North — his second brace of the season against the Louth men — ensured Ian Baraclough’s men escaped back to the North-West with maximum points secured.
Just how crucial could they prove to be come the end of the season?
With the board of Dundalk FC admitting during the week that the very future of the club is in doubt due to financial difficulties, the Louth men could have been forgiven for having other things on their mind.
If that was the case, it certainly didn’t affect the players as they took the game to their opponents from the off, with the lively Marc Griffin going close on three occasions inside the opening nine minutes.
Griffin would eventually turn provider for his side’s opener on 37 minutes, when his cross from the left was headed home by Rafter.
Unfortunately for Sean McCaffrey’s side the lead was to last just seven minutes as North levelled matters with the simplest of finishes after Ross Gaynor’s cross had evaded Peter Cherrie.
The Dundalk goalkeeper was then badly at fault for the decisive goal five minutes after the restart when he flapped at a Joseph Ndo corner, the ball fell invitingly for North, who made no mistake from five yards to give his side a somewhat flattering lead.
The home side huffed and puffed for an equaliser after that but lacked the quality in the final third to truly trouble Gary Rogers.
Sligo escaped with the win and if they do go on to lift the Premier Division title come November it will be nights like this that helped them get there.
DUNDALK: Cherrie; Foran, Danville (Thomas 14), Burns, Osborne; Shields, Mountney, Walsh, McDonnell (Reilly 67); Rafter (Shanahan 81), Griffin.
SLIGO ROGERS: Rogers; Boco, Peers, Ventre, Davoren (Quigley 83); Cretaro, Dillon (Millien 71), Cawley, Ndo, Gaynor; North.
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
