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UCD's Samir Belhout scored the only goal of the game (file pic). Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Winning

UCD overcome Sligo to ease relegation fears with first league win in eight

It was Rovers’ first defeat under new manager John Coleman

UCD AFC 1-0 Sligo Rovers

UCD’s FIRST LEAGUE win in eight games eased relegation worries as they brought Sligo Rovers back down to earth with a bang.

The Students started the afternoon just three points clear of bottom side Athlone Town, but this much-needed win thanks to Samir Belhout’s early goal will help lighten the mood at Belfield.

Belhout got the only goal of the game after just 75 seconds, finishing to the roof of the net with the help of the crossbar after Robbie Benson’s defence splitting pass.

It was Sligo Rovers’ first defeat under new manager John Coleman, and after their 4-0 win over Lithuanian side FC Banga in the Europa League on Thursday night, they would have expected more. They now sit a massive 17 points off top spot.

In a game which the Bit O’Red dominated for long spells, it was UCD who should have been further ahead — Benson’s miss-of-the-season contender in the 57th minute could have cost them. He blocked down Jeff Henderson’s clearance before racing through and rounding ‘keeper Gary Rogers, but amazingly, he hit the post with an open goal at his mercy.

Luckily for UCD, Sligo couldn’t turn all of their possession into goals, thanks mainly to Conor O’Donnell. The UCD ‘keeper first tipped former team-mate Danny Ledwith’s free kick around the post, before denying sub Sean Maguire with an excellent late one-on-one save.

UCD AFC – O’Donnell; Matthews, Douglas, Kavanagh, Langtry (Coyne, 46); Molloy, Creevy, Crowe, Belhout (Mulhall, 62); Benson; Cannon (Burke, 72).

Sligo Rovers – Rogers; Keane, Peers, Henderson, Gaynor; Cretaro (Ledwith, 5), Cawley, Conneely, Djilali; Keating, Obhiambo (Maguire, 65).

Referee – P Sutton

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