SOCCER:St Patrick's Ath 2, Sligo Rovers 1 DANNY NORTH scored in injury-time to snatch three vital points for St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park last night.

The English striker had put St Patrick’s ahead on four minutes before former club man Alan Kirby put the visitors level on the stroke of half-time.

The game looked to be heading for a draw before North netted four minutes into added time.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli were among the attendance.

The home side took the lead on four minutes when North intercepted John Russell’s backpass, beat the advancing Jason McGuinness and evaded Gavin Peers before curling a wonderful shot past Sligo goalkeeper Ciarán Kelly.

An excellent Rovers move after 32 minutes saw Alan Keane play Kirby in to the right of the box. Eoin Doyle was rushing in from the left and provided an option there, but Kirby opted to shoot himself. His effort was too weak to trouble St Patrick’s goalkeeper Gary Rogers, who saved easily.

The visitors’ persistence paid off on 45 minutes when Aaron Greene dashed down the left and crossed the ball across the area. Doyle knocked it back across and Kirby connected slot the ball past Rogers and into the bottom corner.

Daryl Kavanagh had a quiet opening half for St Patrick’s, but looked hungry in the second half.

He threatened on 64 minutes when he got on the end of a Neil Harney pass from the right wing. Kavanagh shook off the advances of two Sligo defenders, but having done the hard work then scuffed his shot, giving Kelly an easy shot to save.

With the tie looking likely to end all-square, North pounced in the 94th to hammer a left-footed shot into the top right corner.

ST PATRICK’S ATH: Rogers; Pender, Shortall, E McMillan, Harney; Doyle, Crowley (Mulcahy 88 mins), Bradley, Murphy (Keegan 65 mins); Kavanagh, North.

SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Davoren, Keane, McGuinness, Peers; Kirby (Ventre 72 mins), Ndo, Ryan, Russell (Horgan 72 mins), Greene; Doyle (Blinkhorn 81 mins).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).