Dundalk 1 Sligo R 2:DANNY NORTH'S second double of the season against Dundalk saw Sligo Rovers maintain their four-point cushion at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Oriel Park last night.
The home side had an early chance when hesitancy in the visiting defence allowed Mark Griffin to nip in ahead of Gary Rogers, but Griffin shot wide.
Shortly after, the 21-year-old attempted to capitalise on a defensive mistake with a 35-yard lob but the back-tracking Rogers collected. Griffin’s free-kick then whistled past the top corner.
On 16 minutes, Sligo had a loud penalty appeal waved away when Dave Cawley went down under a challenge from Stephen McDonnell. Within two minutes, North appeared to be tripped in the box but he was shown a yellow card for simulation.
Sligo’s first effort on goal came on 20 minutes when Ross Gaynor, on his return to Oriel Park, cut in from the right and fired a low shot past the post.
North then showed neat footwork before firing wide from 18-yards. However, after Raffaele Cretaro headed over a Joseph Ndo free-kick, Dundalk took a shock lead. Captain Chris Shields and Griffin combined well, the latter putting in a delightful left-footed cross from the left wing for the inrushing Michael Rafter to power to the bottom corner.
But Sligo responded in the fashion of potential champions and, after John Dillon tested Peter Cherrie, they were level right on half-time. Gaynor came back to haunt his old club as he put in a low, dangerous cross from the left and North stole in to tap in from close range.
And within five minutes of the second half, North was on the score-sheet again, after Cherrie inexplicably dropped an Ndo corner, the in-form striker finishing with ease for his 14th league goal of the season.
DUNDALK: Cherrie, Foran, Danville (Thomas 14), Burns, Osborne, Walsh, Shields, McDonnell (Reilly 67), Mountney, Griffin, Rafter (Shanahan 80).
SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Boco, Peers, Ventre, Davoren (Quigley 82), Dillon (Millien 71), Cawley, Ndo, Gaynor, Cretaro, North.
Referee: Dave McKeon (Meath).
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