A superb finish from Owen Elding and an heroic penalty save from goalkeeper Sam Sargeant ensured Sligo Rovers’ name is in the hat for the quarter-final draw of the Sports Direct FAI Cup, as the Bit O’Red beat Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
In what was one of the most impressive showings of the season so far, Elding’s tenth goal of the season, in the 53rd minute was enough for Rovers to dump Bohs out of the cup and progress to the last eight.
Will Fitzgerald, not for the first time this year, provided the assist before Elding unleashed a superb left footed drive from the edge of the area, well beyond the reach of Bohs keeper James Talbot.
Sargeant’s superb save from Dayle Rooney’s penalty had arrived just moments earlier in an exciting cup game which saw both sides create chances.
Although Rovers restricted Alan Reynolds’ side in the second period, with Sargeant pulling off another wonderful stop when the ball took a wicked touch off Ollie Denahm. While the London-born stopper reacted with one hand to keep a Rhys Brennan effort out late on.
The draw for the FAI Cup quarter final takes place on Tuesday.
Bohemians: James Talbot; Niall Moraghan, Cian Byrne, Leigh Kavanagh (Liam Smith 54), Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney (Adam McDonnell 67) Ross Tierney, Conor Parsons; Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74)
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds (Edwin Agbaje 52), Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart; Ciaron Harkin, Sebastian Quirk; Ryan O’Kane (Daire Patton 81), Jadi Hakiki (Ronan Manning 81), Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan