Sligo Rovers (1) - St Patrick's Athletic (0)

Sligo Rovers 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 0

A second-half Raffaele Cretaro goal inflicted a fourth consecutive league defeat on Liam Buckley's St Patrick's Athletic.

The Saints looked the better side during the first-half, but Cretaro did excellently to give the Bit o'Red the lead, and all three points with his second-half strike.

Dave Robertson made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bray Wanderers a fortnight ago. Jordan Richards has since returned to Notts County, while Michael Leahy, John Russell and Liam Martin all dropped to the bench.

Gavin Peers, Phil Roberts and Raffaele Cretaro all returned to the starting eleven, while new signing Daniel Kearns made his debut having received international clearance just in time.

Liam Buckley also made four changes to his side following their European exploits during the week. Ger O'Brien, Ian Bermingham, Billy Dennehy and Mark Timlin all made way for Michael Barker, Lee Desmond, Sam Verdon and Jamie McGrath.

The Saints controlled the opening half hour, with the hosts forced into their own half for long periods on end.

For all their early possession and neat play, though, Pat's barely troubled Schlingermann in goal early on, Jamie McGrath and Conan Byrne the architects of Pat's early attacks,

Rovers did look dangerous on the few occasions they broke forward, and they will be wondering how they failed to take the lead on 25 minutes after an almighty goalmouth scramble.

Jimmy Keohane's cross from the left looked harmless, but lacklustre defending from the Inchicore side meant Rovers had three stabs at hitting the back of the net, first Roberts, then Sadlier and finally Kearns who saw his tame shot blocked on the line.

The introduction of Liam Martin sparked life into the hosts, and he had fans on their feet just after the re-start as his shot from the left just slid across the goal front.

Just seconds later, the fans were on their feet again as Martin played in Cretaro, whose first touch took the ball past Clarke in goal, leaving the veteran to tap it into the net, giving Rovers the lead.

The Bit o'Red almost doubled their lead as Cretaro nodded Roddan's cross into the path of Sadlier, but the former Peterborough man blasted his volley well off target.

The visitors did go in search of their equaliser, but their attempts proved fruitless as Schlingermann was not to be beaten on the night.

Rovers now move up to seventh place, behind Galway and Pat's on mere goal difference.

© rte.ie

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Sligo Rovers 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 0

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