DUNDALK and Sligo Rovers played out an entertaining draw at Oriel Park which either side could have won.

 

The game didn't take long to come to the boil. Jason Byrne had the first sighting of goal after just 30 seconds, heading over following a slick Dundalk move down the right flank.

Sligo were denied what looked to be a certain penalty in the 4th minute when Eoin Doyle, with the goal at his mercy from eight-yards, went down under pressure from Michael Hector but referee Tom Connolly waved play on much to the disgust of Bit O'Red boss Paul Cook.

Cook's blood pressure would have sky rocketed again three minutes later as his side went behind in comical fashion. Richie Ryan's crazy pass across the face of his goal bounced off two players before falling kindly for Jason Byrne who fired home in customary fashion.

Dundalk were pegged back in the 33rd minute. John Dillon's teasing corner from the left was met by Gavin Peers and the centre-back's header flew past Pater Cherrie to find the net.

The entertainment value went up a notch in the second-half. Dundalk attacked with pace and they almost restored their lead in the 54th minute when Hector guided a Kearns cross just past the post.

Mark Quigley then had the crowd applauding yet again in the 69th minute, weaving his way past four defenders only to blaze over. The Airtricity SWAI Player of the Month then tested Clarke with an audacious volley which the Sligo keeper gathered at the second attempt.

Sligo still carried a threat going forward and Peter Cherrie had to make two fine saves, first to deny Cretaro with his feet and then to stop Ryan after great approach play by John Russell and Aaron Greene.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy; Kearns, Bennett (Ward 38), McDonnell, Gaynor; Quigley, Byrne (Breen 80).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren; Horgan (Greene 71), Ryan, Russell (Kirby 89), Doyle; Dillon, Cretaro (Foran 77).

REFEREE: Tom Connolly (Dublin).