Rovers beaten by Dundalk as Cretaro sets new record
SLIGO ROVERS DUNDALK 0 2
TWO defensive errors were Sligo Rovers’ downfall as the Bit O’Red’s poor home form continued with defeat to Dundalk.
A promising start from Ger Lyttle’s side was undone by a mistake from defender Kyle Callan-McFadden, who allowed Michael Duffy space to expertly bend the ball around Rovers ‘keeper Mitchell Beeney.
While slack marking at a corner gave top scorer Pat Hoban the room to nod home his 25th goal of the year.
Sligo skipper Rhys McCabe forced former Rovers goalkeeper Gary Rogers into an early save, while Beeney was kept busy at the opposite end when he had to keep out an effort from Dane Massey.
While Hoban struck the side netting after Jamie McGrath’s smart through ball.
Rovers played a pivotal part in their own downfall on the half hour.
Callan-McFadden hesitated in closing down McGrath, who teed up the rampant Duffy.
The winger screwing his effort around Beeney for his tenth league goal of the season.
Rovers heads didn’t drop and Ger Lyttle’s men were almost level four minutes from the break, only for a great reaction save from Rogers who denied Drennan.
History was made when Raff Cretaro replaced Regan Donelon in the 70th minute.
Cretaro appearing in a league game for the 432nd time, a new club record.
Duffy brought this game back to life on 78. His run through the middle resulted in a Dundalk corner, from which the same man laid a cross onto the head of the unmarked Hoban who nodded home his 25th goal of the year.
Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; Kyle Callan-McFadden, John Mahon, Patrick McClean, Regan Donelon (Raff Cretaro 70); Rhys McCabe (Lewis Morrison 82), Jack Keaney, David Cawley, Kris Twardek (Adam Wixted 64); Lee Lynch; Mikey Drennan.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Dylan Connolly (Patrick McEleney 70), Robbie Benson (Dean Jarvis 89), Michael Duffy; Jamie McGrath; Patrick Hoban.
Referee: Ben Connolly.