Longford pounce late as Rovers run out of steam

A sluggish Sligo Rovers suffered their second defeat in five days on Tuesday last as they were beaten 3- 2 by Longford Town at City Calling Stadium.

Noel Haverty and Stephen Walsh handed Town a two goal advantage with 37 minutes played as Alan Mathews’ outfit proved more clinical in front of goal.

Arguably the only bright point of Rovers’ night was the performance of both Daniel Kearns and Kieran Sadlier who combined for both Sligo’s goals.

Kearns halving the deficit on the stroke of half- time before levelling the game mid- way through the second period.

It was to end in disappointment for the Bit O’Red as substitute Cody Mulhall, unmarked, headed home a late winner.

The First Division side started the brighter, Dylan McGlade going around Rovers stand- in right back Chris Kenny before producing a decent save at full stretch from Micheál Schlingermann.

Rovers’ back four looked unsteady throughout and Haverty almost profited on nine minutes when Jake Kelly’s free was knocked back across the box by a Town head. Haverty, in space in front of the goal, unable to get the decisive touch to the ball.

A slow start was punished on 18 minutes. Don Cowan sprinting past Regan Donelon on the Longford right before picking out Haverty who this time made no mistake when he bundled the ball across the line.

Dave Robertson’s team struggled in the final third with the influence of both front men Jonah Ayunga and Liam Martin was cancelled out courtesy of a more physical Longford rearguard. Forced to shoot from distance, Sadlier’s 22nd minute effort was comfortable for Jack Brady while the winger fired wide on the half hour following smart work from the lively Kearns.

Longford, whose starting eleven included seven new additions, doubled their lead on 37.

The loose Walsh sending his header over the stranded Schlingermann unchallenged as he latched on to Kelly’s set piece.

Kearns and Sadlier dragged an uninventive Rovers back into the tie on 45. Sadlier’s magic touch brought the ball down before he cut inside to find Kearns who shot sharply past Brady from ten yards.

Sligo controlled the early stages of the second half without creating too much.

Russell dragging an effort past the post on the hour before the same player saw his header fizz wide of the post from Sadlier’s free shortly after.

Kearns saw his mis- hit cross land on top of sub keeper Paul Skinner’s crossbar on 69, four minutes before the former Dundalk man levelled proceedings.

Again it was Sadlier who played the ball in front of Kearns on a quick counter. The Belfast man neatly clipping the ball past Skinner from close range for his brace. But more slack defending was to be Rovers’ undoing seven minutes from time. Mulhall emerging unmarked to direct Kealan Dillon’s free- kick over Schlingermann and into the net for Town’s winner. LONGFORD TOWN: Jack Brady ( Paul Skinner HT), Aidan Friel, Daniel O’Reilly ( Aodh Dervin ( 75), Noel Haverty ( Rhys Gorman 55), Stephen Walsh ( Tristan Hofmann 64); Dean Zambra Gavin Boyne HT), Kevin O’Connor ( Dan Beya HT), Don Cowan ( Kealan Dillon HT), Dylan McGlade ( Ian Fletcher 75); Enda Curran ( David O’Sullivan HT), Jake Kelly ( Cody Mulhall 55). SLIGO ROVERS: Micheál Schlingermann; Chris Kenny ( Tobi Adebayo- Rowling HT), Mick Leahy, Kyle Callan- McFadden, Regan Donelon; Daniel Kearns, John Russell, Craig Roddan, Kieran Sadlier ( Gary Boylan 74); Liam Martin; Jonah Ayunga ( Mathew Stevens HT).

Referee: Ray Matthews.