Holders Sligo survive Pike Rovers fightback to progress

Sligo Rovers 3 Pike Rovers 2

Holders Sligo were given the fright of their lives as they had to come from behind to beat Limerick Junior side Pike Rovers at the Showgrounds.

It might have been a little different if Sligo defender Alan Keane hadn't smacked a 24th minute penally off the Pike Rovers crossbar.

The FAI Junior Cup winner then stole the lead on 58 minutes with a superb header from Colm Carroll.

Central defender Jason McGuinness levelled for Sligo within three minutes and then put them ahead six minutes later.

Striker Raffale Cretaro then eased the Sligo nerves with their third goal on 71 minutes when his shot deflected off Brian Cleary to beat keeper Gary Neville.

Pike didn't lie down and got a second goal back on 85 minutes when David Ryan punished a mistake by McGuinness to shoot past Brendan Clarke.

But Sligo held firm to stumble into the next round.