League of Ireland: Sligo Rovers 2-1 Derry City

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Ronan CurtisImage source, Press Eye
Image caption,

Ronan Curtis scored his 17th goal for Derry but Sligo held on to take all three points

Derry City are without a Premier Division point after two games as they went down to a narrow defeat by Sligo.

The Showgrounds hosts created the better chances in an entertaining game before taking the lead on 75 minutes when Adam Morgan slid in to score.

Ally Roy fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 but Ronan Curtis gave Derry hope when he struck at the nearpost with a minute left.

Sligo keeper Mitchell Beeney kept out Darren Cole's header in added time.

The Candystripes were beaten by Waterford in their opener and Sligo also got off to a losing start.

An open first half saw openings at both ends but City's Gerard Doherty was the busier keeper and he kept the visitors in the game.

Caolan McAleer drilled wide as Sligo made a strong start while Doherty produced the first of his fine saves to block Patrick McClean's powerful volley.

Image source, Inpho
Image caption,

Candystripes keeper Gerard Doherty made a string of excellent saves against Sligo

Derry struggled in defence but they were dangerous in attack with Rory Hale and his brother Ronan both denied by fine saves from Beeney.

Doherty was frustrating Rovers at the other end and Rhys McCabe saw his curling effort saved before the break.

Cole put in a crucial last-ditch tackle to prevent McClean from scoring on the restart as again Sligo possessed the greater threat.

Doherty tipped David Cawley's shot over but he was finally beaten when Morgan got the final touch to a low corner to put Rovers in front.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later courtesy of Roy's sweet strike but an an excellent individual goal from Curtis, with the forward creating space before rifling home, set up a tense finale.

City pressed for a late leveller but Cole failed to find the net in the dying seconds and Sligo secured a deserved win while Derry are bottom in the early standings.

Derry are back in league action on Tuesday night with a trip to take on Bohemians before making their return to the redeveloped Brandywell three days later with Dundalk the opponents.

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division - Friday 23 February

Bray Wanderers

1-2

St Patrick's Athletic

Cork City

2-0

Waterford

Sligo Rovers

2-1

Derry City

Shamrock Rovers

0-0

Dundalk

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