Fagan scores extra-time winner for St Pats

Christy Fagan scored an extra-time winner as St. Patrick’s Athletic beat Široki Brijeg 2-1 to delight Richmond Park last night and advance, on a 3-2 aggregate, to a lucrative Europa League third round meeting with Bungeliga giants Hannover 96.

Christy Fagan scored an extra-time winner as St. Patrick’s Athletic beat Široki Brijeg 2-1 to delight Richmond Park and advance, on a 3-2 aggregate, to a lucrative Europa League third round meeting with Bungeliga giants Hannover 96.

Striker Fagan, who also scored in last week’s 1-1 draw in Bosnia, pounced to rifle home form close range in the 105th minute after skipper Conor Kenna nodded down a free kick from James Chambers.

St. Pat’s had taken a deserved lead on the night in the 39th minute when John Russell shot to the net from inside the area after the Bosnians failed to clear a cross from Chris Forrester.

Defender Ivica Dzidic was left unmarked to head Široki Brijeg level from a corner in the 65th minute.

Sligo Rovers, trailing 3-1 from the first leg, were knocked out when they could manage only a 1-1 draw with Slovak side Spartak Trnava at the Showgrounds, losing 4-2 on aggregate.

Sligo blew the chance of a 26th minute lead on the night when topscorer Danny North’s penalty was saved by Miroslav Filipko.

Trnava struck for the lead on 70 minutes from Peter Cvirik’s stunning free kick. Central defender Jason McGuinness got what was a mere consolation goal for Sligo in the 93rd minute.