Longford Town 2
Sligo Rovers 2
LONGFORD TOWN TWICE came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Sligo Rovers at City Calling Stadium this evening.
Sligo went ahead through Raffaele Cretaro, with Rhys Gorman making it 1-1 before half-time.
Phil Roberts put Rovers 2-1 up after the interval, but Eddie Dsane levelled things up again just minutes later.
The visitors came into this game knowing that even a point could see them move past St Patrick’s Athletic into sixth place in the Airtricity League Premier Division, while three points for Longford would bring them to within one point of second-from-bottom Wexford Youths.
Despite a lethargic start from both teams, Dave Robertson’s side looked the more dangerous, frustrating Longford into receiving three bookings early on. Rovers’ tally, however, wasn’t too far off, as both Sadlier and Keohane also worked their way into the referee’s notebook.
Although the league’s bottom side were under pressure for spells, they looked dangerous at set pieces.
The Bit o’Red almost opened the scoring when Jimmy Keohane’s dangerous ball from the left was flicked on by John Russell, his effort forced wide.
Just after the half-hour mark, it was the travelling fans who were celebrating.
Veteran Cretaro connected brilliantly with a threatening cross from Liam Martin, beating his former team-mate Ryan Coulter to make it 1-0 to Rovers.
Not to be beaten that easily, Tony Cousins’ side went in search of an equaliser straight from the off, and they weren’t too long looking.
Gorman got on the end of a Kaleem Simon corner to punish poor Sligo defending on 42 minutes, sending the ball past Micheal Schlingermann to make it 1-1 heading in to half-time.
A moment of magic from Roberts put Rovers ahead again on 53 minutes, scoring his first league goal for the club as he lifted a free from 20 yards over the wall and past Coulter.
But again, Longford weren’t going to give up, and they levelled the scoring on 66 minutes.
An under-hit clearance from the otherwise solid Gary Boylan allowed Dsane through on goal, and the Englishman sent the ball to Schlingermann’s right for 2-2.
The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stage as they went in search of an equaliser, with Mark Hughes heading just over Schlingermann’s post as the game edged closer to finishing honours even.
The result means the Bit o’Red move ahead of Pats into sixth place, while Longford are now three points behind Wexford Youths at the bottom.
Longford: Ryan Coulter, Conor Powell, Noel Haverty, Mark Hughes, Kealan Dillon (Jamie Mulhall, 70), Don Cowan (Lee Duffy, 87), Yann Mvita Nkelu, Kaleem Simon, Peter McGlynn (David O’Sullivan, 67), Eddie Dsane, Rhys Gorman.
Subs: Paul Skinner, Philip Gannon, Tristan Noack Hofmann, Pat Flynn.
Sligo: Micheal Schlingermann, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Jimmy Keohane, Gavin Peers, Gary Boylan, Craig Roddan(c), John Russell, Liam Martin, Kieran Sadlier, Phil Roberts (Daniel Kearns, 54), Raffaele Cretaro.
Subs: Ciaran Nugent, Mick Leahy, Gary Armstrong, Mikey Place, Chris Lyons, Jason Hunt.
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