St Patrick's Athletic maintained their push for a place in European football next season when they came from behind to draw with relegation-threatened Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds yesterday.
The Dubliners looked to be in serious trouble when they trailed 2-0 at the interval, but a scrambled Packie Lynch goal within two minutes of the restart proved to be the launching pad for a spirited second-half revival.
The St Pat's equaliser was the direct result of an inspired substitution by Pat Dolan, who sent on Liam Kelly in the 68th minute.
Kelly was only on the field for three minutes when he was tumbled over in the area by Ross McLynn and Trevor Molloy despatched the resultant penalty.
Conor O'Grady scored Sligo's first goal since January 3rd, a spectacular 25-yard effort in the 18th minute. The home side increased their lead just before half-time when Sean Flannery scored from close range after a mistake by Stephen McGuinness had given him a clear run at goal.
That looked sufficient to give Sligo a priceless victory but St Pat's came storming back in the second half to earn a draw.
SLIGO ROVERS: Broujos, Rossiter, Lynch, Byrne, McLynn, Charles, Gilroy, Birks, Flannery, O'Grady, Moran. Subs: Shannon for Flannery (65 mins); Marshall for Gilroy (71 mins); Oates for Moran (80 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Wood, Burke, Lynch, Byrne, Osam, McGuinness, McCarthy, Molloy, McNevin, Russell, Drew. Subs: Kelly for Drew (68 mins); Broghan for Russell (80 mins).
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
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