REPORT: Sligo Rovers 1-2 Derry City

Derry City require just a draw on Tuesday night against St Patrick's Athletic to confirm their European spot for 2020 after they beat Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.

Lewis Banks had handed Rovers the lead 13 minutes in, but City recovered and levelled the game courtesy of Jamie McDonagh before an Ed McGinty mistake gifted Barry McNamee Derry’s second before half-time.

The result means the Candystripes need just a point from the visit of the Saints next week, to secure continental football for next season. Still chasing that third spot, City were on top in the opening half but fell behind to Banks’ first goal for the home side.

David Cawley latching on to Ronan Coughlan’s through ball, before Cawley pulled the ball back for the unmarked Banks to fire home.

Derry heads didn’t drop however and McDonagh struck the woodwork with a fine bending effort after skilfully pulling the ball past John Mahon.

While Eoin Toal screwed his volley wide, City had their leveller. The ball falling to McDonagh at the edge of the area as the ex-Sligo man blasted a left footed volley past McGinty for his fourth of the season and his second against his former employers this year.

McGinty was at fault however six minutes later, when Derry did take the lead. McNamee guiding the beleaguered goalkeeper’s attempted clearance past McGinty at the first attempt.

Regan Donelon almost profited from Kris Twardek’s over-cooked cross 10 minutes into the second half as Rovers began the second half on the front foot. The full back’s first time volley at the far post sailing beyond Peter Cherrie’s back post.

Both sides didn’t create much for a sustained period thereafter as this game suffered from a bout of end of season syndrome. Grant Gillespie couldn’t find the far corner after he turned inside with 13 minutes of the second half remaining.