A 92nd-minute winner from Garry Buckley gave Sligo Rovers a 3-2 win at home to Drogheda United in Saturday night’s eventful and entertaining SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game at the Showgrounds.
The Louth side played the last quarter of the game with 10 men after defender Even Weir was sent off for a second yellow card.
However, they battled gamely to try and earn a share of the spoils with Drogheda goalkeeper Sam Long arguably earning the Player of the Match award with a string of top quality saves – including an Aidan Keena penalty.
Rovers produced an improved performance on their showing in Finn Park last Monday – and got a dream start through midfielder David Cawley who netted twice in the opening three minutes.
However, Drogheda were given a way back into the game on 27 minutes when they were awarded a penalty.
Ed McGinty saved Chris Lyons initial spot kick – but Drogheda’s Georgie Poynton reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Moments later, Rovers themselves were awarded a penalty after Will Fitzgerald was fouled.
Aidan Keena’s spot-kick was well struck but Drogheda keeper Sam Long produced a superb save, diving low to his right.
The visitors equaliser arrived on 54 minutes with Shane Blayney unfortunate to direct the ball into his own net, when under pressure from Lyons.
Then came Evan Weir’s second-half red card and Rovers pushed hard to make the numerical advantage count.
Liam Buckley introduced Jordan Hamilton and Karl O’Sullivan in the closing quarter as the home side went in search of an equaliser.
Lewis Banks had a goal-bound shot taken off the line in the dying moments while Hamilton went close too.
🎥 | GOAL!
It looks like a last-gasp winner for @sligorovers as Gary Buckley fires home after some goalmouth pinball! ⚽️
The drama! 😅@sligorovers 3-2 @DroghedaUnited
Sign up | https://t.co/zOGOgOjp1S#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/9E1TbrdCj5
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) April 23, 2022
Then, with time almost up, a goalmouth scramble allowed Rovers defender Garry Buckley to smash home the winner from close range in the 92nd minute.
Hamilton had another opportunity in the 95th minute to add a fourth – but he pulled his left-footed shot wide.
3-2 to Rovers it finished – a result which lifts the bit o’red back up to fourth in the table.
Men’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Sligo Rovers 3 Drogheda Utd 2
SSE Airtricity Women’s National League
Wexford Youths 2 Sligo Rovers 0
