Sligo grind out result to set up return match at Showgrounds

Frantic defending twice denied Séamus Conneely in the second half at the Gargz dai Stadium in Lithuania last night but Sligo Rovers will nonetheless be pleased with taking a scoreless draw back to the Showgrounds for next Thursday's second leg.

Sligo dominated the first quarter without creating a clear opening and the 2013 Lithuanian Cup runners-up grew in confidence as the half progressed.

In perhaps the best chance of a game – in which Sligo had the better of – on 72 minutes, defender Conneely first had a shot blocked before Sarunas Jurevicius saved his follow-up after Banga failed to clear Kieran Djilali’s corner.

Jurevicius was also the busier of the two keepers in the first half when, on 36 minutes, he saved well from Sligo winger Raffaele Cretaro’s shot from distance.

Danny North also worked the Lithuanians' 'keeper with a close range volley early in the second half before Ukrainian striker Sergii Shevchuk wasted Banga's first real chance on 52 minutes when he volleyed over from just inside the area when he might have scored.

Banga finished strongly with Evaldas Grigaitis blazing over the Sligo crossbar on 83 minutes.

In a late flurry, John Russell headed over the top from a Djilali cross for Sligo with Banga responding on the counterattack as substitute Aslanbek Tsallagov shot wide.

On balance Sligo were the better side but failed to convert chances in the second half to take a lead back to the Showgrounds for next week’s return game.

Banga were restricted to opportunities on the break with Evaldus Grigaitis the most influential player for the home side. But after he squandered their best moment with that misdirected volley in the closing stages the match wound its way to stalemate.But John Coleman’s side will feel encouraged in their hopes of progress to the next round in next week’s rematch.