McGinty the hero as Sligo progress on penalties

It took penalties to finally separate the sides but Ed McGinty was Sligo Rovers' hero as he kept out two spot-kicks in a dramatic Showgrounds shootout as the Bit O’Red knocked Bala Town out of Europe.

David Edwards had the Welsh side ahead on the night and level in the tie ten minutes from half-time. And although there were chances at both ends, neither side could muster a winner.

In front of a sell-out crowd of almost four thousand, it was McGinty who kept out penalties from both John Spittle and Luke Wall to send the Bit O’Red through to a second-round date with Scottish side Motherwell.

With the slight cushion of a one-goal lead courtesy of a Max Mata winner in the opening leg, Sligo made two changes from that game seven days previous.

The experienced Garry Buckley replacing the suspended Nando Pijnaker, while Estonian international Frank Liivak came in for his first start since signing on at the Showgrounds.

The visitors made two changes from the first leg. Bradley Bauress and Oliver Southern, both second half substitutes in that game, taking their place in Colin Caton’s first eleven.

Needing to win by two goals to progress, it the Welsh side who forced the first chance of this game.

With nothing on in front of him, Kieran Smith pulled an impressive, full-stretch save from Rovers stopper McGinty from all of 25 yards on the quarter hour.

Sligo were knocked out at the same stage in this competition by Icelandic side FH last year and were looking to ease the anxiety of the bumper crowd early on.

The were offered a great chance in the 23rd minute. Niall Morahan connected with Adam McDonnell’s corner in front of goal, but saw his glancing header bounce wide of Alex Ramsay’s far post.

Shane Blaney could only nod Karl O’Sullivan’s