Waterford hold on to advance to third round

Waterford United 2 Sligo Rovers 1

Waterford almost blew a 2-0 lead as they stumbled into the third round in a match they looked to be coasting.

Dreadful defending by Sligo gifted Blues the lead on two minutes.

Keeper Ken O’Malley hesitated as he came for Kevin O’Brien’s long ball and skipper Daryl Murphy out jumped him to head home.

Murphy again punished Rovers to stoop and head home Blues second on 35 minutes. Stephen O’Donnell gave Sligo hope with a crisply struck penalty on 52 minutes.

Mark Clifford being sent off for a second booking gave Blues a nervous last 12 minutes, but they held out to go through.