Depleted Sligo Rovers come from behind to beat Bohemians

Max Mata struck a three-minute brace as Sligo Rovers came from behind to beat Bohemians at the Showgrounds.

John O'Sullivan had the Phibsborough side in the lead in the 54th minute, but the Bit O’Red were left celebrating a first win in three at full-time after New Zealander Mata’s heroics in the 64th and 67th minutes.

Looking to put their European disappointment behind them, Sligo made three changes from last Thursday’s game in Norway with Nando Pijnaker, Greg Bolger and Frank Liivak all drafted in.

Garry Buckley, Lewis Banks and Adam McDonnell all missed out due to injuries picked up in their 5-1 defeat to Viking in Europe last Thursday.

For their first league game since mid-July, Bohs boss Keith Long made just the one change from their FAI Cup success in Ballybofey last week, with Jordan Flores missing out in place of Ali Coote.

Without a victory over Bohs in their last four attempts, Rovers did offer something through a few early corners but Tadhg Ryan in the visitor’s nets went the full first half without really being tested.

The Dubliners found themselves down to ten men for a short period when winger Liam Burt departed the pitch for a quick visit to the dressing room. Referee Ray Matthews showed a yellow card to the Scot on his return after he failed to report his absence to the official.

Rovers’ top scorer Aidan Keena had two efforts from distance, which were the closest the hosts came to an opener.

McDaid’s next set piece flew narrowly wide after Shane Blaney had fouled James Clarke right on the edge of the box.

Bohs applied the pressure late on the first half with a series of corners. But the nearest they came to a goal was when Rovers netminder Luke McNicholas showed great reactions to get a hand to Junior’s snapshot