Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan scored a controversial late penalty as Sligo Rovers were unfortunate to be beaten at Oriel Park.

The Irish international’s winner arrived in the 83rd minute after Eoin Kenny fell to the floor inside the Rovers area following a less than physical challenge from Will Fitzgerald.

This wasn’t the only questionable refereeing decision on the night as the away side were denied what looked like genuine penalties of our own when both Ollie Denham and James McManus were impeded in front of Enda Minogue’s goal. 

The Lilywhites finished this contest without their full quota of players when Aodh Dervin was shown a straight red for a high challenge on Fitzgerald. 

In a game in which Rovers were well on top for large swathes, McManus fired a powerful effort inches wide of Minogue’s goal early on. While Fitzgerald pulled a stretch from the Dundalk ‘keeper shortly after in a first half that struggled to provide any real goal-scoring chances.

John Russell was forced into an early switch when Ryan O’Kane was stretchered off with a serious arm injury after he fell awkwardly contesting a header. Archie Meekison his replacement. 

The Scot came within inches of the opener four minutes into the second half. The once Bohs attacker cracking a superb, rising effort on to the Louth men’s crossbar following impressive pressure from the visitors. 

Rovers had Minogue spinning around again on 53 when he got his fingers to Gareth McElroy’s header from a Fitzgerald corner, the goalkeeper pushing McElroy’s effort on to his crossbar. 

Sligo were denied what looked like two penalties in this second period when a Dundalk defender awkwardly smashed through McManus just feet inside Minogue’s box. While Denham was pulled down by two defenders as he challenged for a ball swung into the area a few minutes later. 

Referee Oliver Moran then raised the night’s biggest talking point when he pointed to the spot after Kenny threw himself on the ground with Fitzgerald behind him. 

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Wilson (Buckley 51), Dervin; McDaid (Mullen 51), Kenny, Horgan; Arub (Groome 62) (Warren 84).

Sligo Rovers: Sergeant; Esua, Denham, McElroy, Fitzgerald; Quirk, McManus; Nolan (Rego Priosti 83), McHugh, O’Kane (Meekison 45+7); Kavanagh (Traore HT).

Referee: Oliver Moran.