Late Quigley penalty earns Sligo a point

Sligo Rovers dropped two precious points in an action-packed Premier League game at the Showgrounds last night.

Super-sub Mark Quigley saved the home side’s blushes with a goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Danny North was brought down.

Sligo penned City back in their own half at the start of the first-half with Pascal Millien and Seamus Conneely showing a lot of flair up front.

David Cawley came close to giving Sligo the lead in the fourth minute but a quick counter attack three minutes later reaped a rich reward for the visitors when Ian Turner’s shot took a slight deflection on its way to the net.

A crossfield ball by Davin O’Neill caused panic in the home defence after 13 minutes with Vinny Sullivan lurking in front of goal. Mark McNulty, who had a super 90 minutes in the Cork goal, did well to smother a North’s shot a minute later and another top class save by McNulty denied Millien in the 20th minute. Daryl Horgan almost doubled Cork’s lead in the 34th minute but a top drawer save by Sligo keeper Gary Rogers deflected the ball over the bar.

David Cawley had a chance for Sligo in the 39th minute but the Cork keeper was once again equal to the task. A blasting Paul Millien shot from 30 yards flew narrowly over the bar four minutes from half time but Ian Baraclough’s side ended the half without unhinging the visitors’ defence.

Ross Gaynor forced the Cork keeper into a smart save after four minutes of the second-half as Rovers went in search of an equaliser. Seamus Conneely missed a great chance to level the match in the 52nd minute heading wide from close range. Then Vinny Sullivan doubled Cork’s advantage with a clever finish in the 57th minute following good build up play involving Shane Duggan who set the move in motion.

Sligo pulled a goal back after 63minutes when skipper Danny Ventre scored from a free kick on the edge of the box.

Mark Quigley missed a chance to level matters in the 74th minute but he made no mistake from the spot seven minutes from time. Horgan missed a chance to score the visitors’ third in the 80th minute but Tommy Dunne’s side held out for a well-merited share of the points.

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Conneely, Peers, McGuinness, Gaynor, Cawley,Ventre, Boco, Millien, Dillon, North.

Subs: Quigley for Dillon (53), Connolly for Boco (72), Lynch for Ventre (76).

CORK CITY: McNulty, Murphy, Kavanagh, Healy, Duggan, O’Neill, Sullivan, Dunleavy, Spillane, Turner, Horgan.

Subs: Parker for O Neill (82), O’Connell for Sullivan) 93) Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).