Aidan Keena the hero as Sligo Rovers grab famous win at Motherwell

Aidan Keena's 27th minute winner will go down as one of the most famous goals in the club’s history after Sligo Rovers beat Motherwell in their Europa Conference League second round qualifier first-leg tie at Fir Park.

Under pressure for portions of the tie, the Bit O’Red looked a match for the Scottish side throughout and created enough opportunities to extend their advantage ahead of next week’s second leg at the Showgrounds.

On the back of consecutive defeats to both Bala Town and UCD, Rovers boss John Russell made three changes from that loss to the Students. Adam McDonnell and Karl O’Sullivan returning to the midfield, while Sligo were boosted by the return of experienced Garry Buckley to their defensive line.

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander included recent arrivals Blair Spittal, Paul McGinn and Josh Morris who were all involved from the off.

The visitors ended this half on the back foot, but did create the best of the chances early on, on the recently laid Fir Park surface.

O’Sullivan’s cross to the front post was almost turned home by Will Fitzgerald, but the former Derry City winger couldn’t connect properly with O’Sullivan’s driven ball after just 34 seconds.

Seemingly taken aback by the Irish side’s quick start, Motherwell gave up another decent opportunity on nine minutes.

Buckley and Shane Blaney involved before the ball fell to Lewis Banks who almost forced the former’s cross past Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly, only for the net minder to react in time to claim Banks’ shot.

Sligo lost regular goalkeeper Ed McGinty to League One outfit Oxford United on Wednesday. His replacement Luke McNicholas looked in no way fazed by the occasion when he denied early efforts at goal from the home side.

Although the Mayo man did