Sligo Rovers hit back and add to Dundalk's problems at the Showgrounds – The Irish Times

Airtricity League Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 2 – Dundalk 1

Dundalk's problems continue after a 2-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Although Sligo took the lead in the first half through a goal from Robbie Benson following a controversial penalty call, second-half goals from Wilson Waweru and Ellis Chapman, who converted a penalty, gave Sligo the win and the hosts fourth place.

Bottom-placed Dundalk, who were given a respite from their off-field turmoil earlier this week with the takeover of the club by a consortium led by John Temple, were looking to close the gap on second-bottom Drogheda United.

Sligo, who went into this game sixth in the table, were looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at Shamrock Rovers in the previous round.

The hosts, bolstered by the return of their team captain Niall Morahan from suspension, were under pressure early on with former Irish international Daryl Horgan in action for the visitors.

A potentially game-deciding moment was a penalty from Benson in the 24th minute after Sligo midfielder Connor Malley, formerly of Dundalk, was accused of handball.

Horgan twice threatened to double Dundalk's lead – one shot deflected and went to a corner, and the other effort was saved by Ed McGinty.

Sligo's best moment of the first half was a long-range shot from Simon Power that hit the post.

Power came close to scoring early in the second half after a stray run as Sligo attempted to recover from a cautious opening period.

Dundalk had a lot to thank their goalkeeper Ross Munroe for, making a fantastic double save to first deny Ollie Denham's header and then Will Fitzgerald's follow-up shot.

Jad Hakiki shot wide for Dundalk before Sligo equalised in the 69th minute with a clever header from Waweru, who converted a lob from Power.

Seven minutes later, Sligo took the lead through a penalty which Chapman converted.

Dundalk also had to reduce their squad to ten players following the penalty incident, after defender Hayden Cann was shown the red card for his foul on Sligo substitute Luke Pearce, who was free to aim at goal.

A miracle save from Sligo's McGinty prevented Dundalk from equalising in injury time, and the goalkeeper also saved an effort from substitute James Gullan.

SLIGO ROVERS: McGinty; Wilson, Denham, McElroy, Hutchinson; Malley (Pearce, 62), Morahan; Power, Chapman, Fitzgerald; Waweru (Barlow, 74)

DUNDALK: Munro; Pike, Boyle, Cann, Mountney; Dervin, Benson (Garbett, 84); Horgan (Mahon, 84), Hakiki (Keane, 70), O'Kane (Faulkner, 77); Kenny (Gullan, 70)

Referee: Marc Lynch.