McElroy strikes late to rescue point for Sligo in Dundalk

Gareth McElroy of Sligo Rovers celebrates with team-mate Daire Patton. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Dundalk 1 Sligo Rovers 1 

Gareth McElroy scored what could be a huge stoppage-time goal as Sligo Rovers rescued a late point against Dundalk at Oriel Park.

Ciarán Kilduff’s side looked to be cruising towards victory when captain Daryl Horgan fired them ahead early in the second half with what was the 100th goal of his club career.

However, despite dominating proceedings the Louth men failed to find the crucial second, with Sligo – who conceded late against Drogheda Utd six days earlier – punishing a late error to make it two points from as many matches for new boss Darren Purse.

While the Bit O Red remain bottom of the table on goal difference, this result will give them a huge boost ahead of next week’s trip to face Derry City.

For Dundalk, it is the fifth consecutive game that they have led in and failed to win, with the Lilywhites now dropping 26 points from winning positions this season – four more than Sligo have managed in total.

It was all one-way traffic in the opening stages with Sam Sargeant called into action to make relatively comfortable saves from Ronan Teahan, Horgan and Cian Dillon inside the opening 17 minutes.

After Luke Pearce was denied by Enda Minogue with Sligo’s only attempt two minutes later, Trevor Clarke then went closest to a breakthrough before half-time when he hit the crossbar before heading wide with the goal gaping from a Horgan corner on 41 minutes.

The hosts had a major score four minutes after the restart when Jack Shorrock broke in behind Mayowa Animasahun before forcing Minogue to tip over, with McElroy heading just wide from the resultant corner.

The breakthrough then finally arrived for the hosts on 52 minutes. Clarke set Dillon away, with his ball looking like it would put Groome in. 

The pass would evade the midfielder but he did well to lay the ball off to his captain, Horgan, who blasted high to the net.

After Sargeant kept Sligo in it with a brilliant point-blank save to deny Cian Dillon from Horgan’s knockdown, the visitors swooped for an equaliser in stoppage time as Minogue came for a cross he couldn’t collect with Trey George getting a shot off that broke to McElroy to toe poke in.

Dundalk: Minogue; Burns, Animasahun, Cornwall, Teahan; Dervin, Buckley (Gaxha 71); Clarke (McDaid 71), Groome (Grivosti 63), Horgan; Dillon (Vassenin 87).

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Stewart (McDonagh 81); Pearce (Quirk 36), McHugh, McManus (Patton 63), Shorrock (George 63); Kavanagh, McGonigle.

Referee: Neil Doyle.