Sligo Rovers held by UCD as winless run continues

Sligo Rovers' poor form continued as they were held to a draw by UCD at the Showgrounds.

Max Mata had given the Bit O'Red the lead at the break but the determined visitors turned this game on its head with goals from Colm Whelan and Evan Caffrey.

Mata levelled the game with his brace but a toothless Sligo failed to push on and claim what would have been a first win in four.

Following consecutive defeats to Shelbourne and Bohemians, Rovers were keen to return to winning ways against the league’s basement side.

Jordan Hamilton, Sligo’s one change from the Bohs game, found himself on the end of the game’s opening opportunity.

The Canadian’s hesitancy allowed UCD goalkeeper Lorcan Healy time to steady himself before pushing away Hamilton’s drive after he latched on to Mata’s flick.

Liam Buckley’s side had failed to find the net in over 220 minutes in the lead-up to this tie and the relief was palpable around the Showgrounds when the hosts hit the lead.

Mata arrived at the front post to head Karl O’Sullivan’s 23rd-minute corner past Healy for his first goal for the club.

Andy Meyler’s charges levelled the game against the run of play on 57 minutes. Whelan’s shot from the edge of the Sligo area finished off a lethal counter as the striker found the bottom corner.