UCD re-ignite survival hopes with victory in Sligo

Sligo Rovers prepared for Thursday's Europa Conference League visit to Motherwell in less than ideal fashion as they were beaten at home by basement side UCD.

Donal Higgins and Dara Keane netted in either half as the Students picked up just their second win of the season.

The Bit O’Red created plenty of chances but poor defending, a lack of killer instinct in front of goal and a string of fine saves from UCD goalkeeper Lorcan Healy all contributed to Rovers’ downfall.

Sligo boss John Russell shuffled his pack from Thursday’s starting side that finally saw off Bala in their Europa Conference League tie. Ed McGinty, the shoot-out hero from that game rested, affording highly rated goalkeeper Luke McNicholas his first start since his spell on loan with Cliftonville. While Lewis Banks, Will Fitzgerald, David Cawley and Nando Pijnaker also returned.

UCD also made five switches from their recent defeat to Bohs, with Keane, Healy, Evan Caffrey, Alex Dunne and Alex Nolan all starting.

College have been somewhat of a bogey side for Rovers this term, avoiding defeat in both of the previous games with the Connacht side in 2022.

It was Sligo who fashioned the chances before Higgins hit the opener. Aidan Keena smacked the crossbar eleven minutes in after his diagonal run allowed him to make the space.

Frank Liivak twice went close with efforts from either side on 13 and 19 minutes respectively.

McNicholas pulled off an impressive stop to keep out Thomas Lonergan on 22 minutes after a lapse in the Sligo rearguard. But the Mayo stopper could do little to stop Higgins just 60 seconds later.

Keane muscling his way past Will Fitzgerald at the end line before squaring to the unmarked Higgins who finish comfortably past McNicholas.

UCD goalkeeper