LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION St Patrick's Athletic 1 Sligo Rovers 0:HAVING BEMOANED the fact his side's home form has been adversely affected by playing so many times on a Sunday evening for the benefit of television, John McDonnell will scarcely have been charmed by this sluggish display.
But it's a time of the season when results outweigh performance and the St Patrick's manager will delight in the three points, courtesy of Damien Lynch scoring a dramatic late goal.
Looking set to drop two valuable points in their pursuit of Bohemians, St Patrick's, far from their best, struck for a nonetheless deserved winner two minutes into stoppage time.
Sligo goalkeeper Richard Brush spilled a Keith Fahey drive and Lynch reacted quickest to stab the loose ball home at the foot of a post.
The win, only St Patrick's second in five league games, reduces Bohemians lead to seven points - though Pat Fenlon's Gypsies can regain their ten point lead should they beat Drogheda United in their back match at Dalymount Park tomorrow night.
St Patrick's scarcely got out of their own half in the opening 15 minutes. With not a little vocal scolding from McDonnell in the dugout, the home side settled somewhat and Fahey brought a comfortable save from Brush while Sligo defender Gavin Peers did well to block a fiercely struck Gary Dempsey drive that was on target.
But McDonnell had to remain animated as Sligo remained the more composed side. Mark Quigley pepped up the home crowd for the first time with a weaving run past two defenders on 34 minutes, but the finish saw Brush comfortably gather.
Having started with five in midfield, Sligo brought on Steve Feeney within minutes of the start of the second half, doubtlessly feeling that, having got the measure of the home side, they could win the game.
St Patrick's continued to struggle to break Sligo down.
Quigley headed wide from Gary O'Neill's cross on the hour while Fahey scuffed a shot straight at Brush a minute later as St Patrick's continued to struggle to find a spark.
When they did, Sligo's defending was resolute, epitomised by a terrific challenge by captain Conor O'Grady on Fahey 15 minutes from time, before they snatched it right at the death.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Barry Ryan; Lynch, Gavin, O'Cearuill (Brennan 76), Rogers; Guy, Fahey, Dempsey, Bobby Ryan (Kirby 71); O'Neill, Quigley.
SLIGO ROVERS: Brush; Coleman, Peers, Almeida, Butler; Cash, O'Grady, Ryan, Doherty (Feeney 48); Cretaro (Curran 86); Boco.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer(Cork).
