Ten-man Sligo Rovers held out for a crucial point against their North West neighbours Finn Harps in a cracking derby game at the Show-grounds yesterday.

Sligo looked to be on their way to their first win under manager Tommy Cassidy when Dale Gray headed them in front from Paul Bonner's pinpoint cross in the 10th minute.

However, the home side pressed the self-destruct button in an explosive four-minute spell towards the end of the first half. After 35 minutes Wesley Charles conceded a penalty with an ill-timed tackle on Fergal Harkin, and there followed an ugly flare-up. When the dust had settled, referee Aidan O'Regan booked Sligo defender Ian Lynch and Harps player-manager Gavin Dykes. Harkin kept his nerve to slam home the equaliser from the spot kick.

Things went from bad to worse for Sligo four minutes later when central defender Steve Birks was sent off following an off-the-ball incident involving Harkin.

Harps had the greater share of possession in the second half, but Sligo attacked with great purpose. Harps, however, carved out a number of openings with James Mulligan and Declan Boyle both going close in the final minutes.

Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Davey, Lynch, Gray, Birks, Charles, Khalifi, Bonner, Flannery, O'Grady, Moran. Substitutes: Shannon for Khalifi (74 mins), Gilroy for Gray (81 mins).

Finn Harps: McKenna, Vaudequin, Minnock, Boyle, Dykes, Hutchison, Mohan, McGranaghan, Speake, Mulligan, Harkin.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).