Late Quigley penalty denies Rovers win

 A late 93rd minute penalty from Mark Quigley denied Rovers the chance to leave Oriel Park with 3 points tonight and also brought an end to Brendan Clarke's amazing consecutive run of League clean sheets.

John Russell had the first effort of the game inside the first minute when he got into the box, but he could only steer his early shot into the side netting.

Although the early chance would suggest it might be a very exciting game from the start, but it actually took 15 minutes for the next chance when on form Dundalk striker Mark Griffin when he a go from a tough angle which Clarke saved easily.

Peers had a glorious chance to score a similar goal to his equaliser at Oriel Park earlier in the season when he headed towards goal after getting on the end of a corner, but Peter Cherrie was on hand to save.

Iarfhliath Davoren won a free kick 35 yards from goal, and Joseph Ndo decided to try his luck, and wasn't very far away when he forced a save out of Cherrie.

Griffin had a chance right on the stroke of half time when Stephen Maher sent a ball into the box, but the striker failed to connect with the ball correctly as his shot went over.

The ever dangerous Griffin had another chance shortly after the restart when Kearns set up the young target man in the box, but once again he failed to hit the ball correctly as he dragged it wide from point blank range.

Tom Connolly done what he is renowned for in Oriel Park, and predictably produced a red card in this game, a controversial second card for Ventre he was adjudged to ahve dived in the box. A decision Cook, The players, the fans and even commentators felt was very harsh.

I spoke to one fan earlier who was at the game and this is what he had to say about the incident: "It was extremely harsh in my opinion. The ref booked him for his first foul of the game, which wasn't even a bookable offence, a warning at most.

Then Connolly, who was in or around the middle of the pitch, thought Danny dived when he was straight through on goal from the corner of the box. From my view, it looked a stonewall penalty.

Quigley was also diving, I spotted atleast two occasions where he threw himself to the ground, but not one card was issued to him."

After this turning point in the match, it took 10 minutes before the next chance on goal when Ndo sent a long cross into the box for Matthew Blinkhorn, but he failed to really get any power behind his header as he directed it straight into the arms of Cherrie.

Carl McHugh had the next chance when a corner from Ross Gaynor found the midfielder within a few yards of the goal, but managed to head over.

There was a scare for Rovers when Greg Bolger looked to have opened the scoring when he got on the end of a free-kick, but the linesman put up his flag for offside. Blinkhorn had a rare shot from distance which had a bit of a curl on it, but Cherrie done well to save. Cretaro decided to have a go from range with 4 minutes of normal time remaining, but Cherrie was able to parry it away to safety. 

In the 88th minute, the Tubbercurry Tornado had another pop at goal, and this time he finally broke the deadlock as his strike from the edge of the box flew past Cherrie and into the back of the net for what looked like a late victory for The Bit O' Red.

Clarke was forced into a wonder save after an immediate Dundalk attack saw them break quickly in into the box, but he was on hand to save a shot from Kearns.

There was more controversy to follow as John Russell took Quigley down in the box the box in the 93rd minute, this time an admittidly good call by the referee. Quigley made no mistake when he stepped up and sent Clarke the wrong way to end the 'keeper's 9 League games clean sheet streak.

In fairness, this was probably a fair result in the end for all the attacking Dundalk done. Next up for Rovers is a tough home fixture against Bohemians, who will be eager to get back to winning ways after their defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Sligo Rovers: Clarke, Ventre (S/O), Peers, Foran, Powell (Greene, 59 mins), Dillon (Blinkhorn, 57 mins), Russell, Ndo, Ryan, Davoren (Cretaro, 74 mins), Doyle

Subs not used: Kelly, Kirby

Dundalk: Cherrie, Madden, Bennett, McHugh, Gaynor, Kearns, Maher, Ward (Breen, 71 mins), Bolger, Quigley, Griffin (Byrne, 61 mins)

Subs not used: Murphy