Sligo Rovers were left disappointed at the Showgrounds despite coming from behind against Cork City at a wet and windy Showgrounds.
Alex Nolan had given Cork the lead just shy of the hour, but Rovers rallied and restored parity courtesy of Owen Elding’s fifteenth goal of the season.
The Bit O’Red pressed for the winner but were unable to unlock the City defence a second time.
The result means Rovers may need a result at Tallaght Stadium next Saturday to avoid the relegation play-off as ourselves, Waterford and Galway all sit level on points. Galway have a game in hand yet to play, against Shams. While both the Blues and the Tribesmen play each other on the final day.
There was a sense of expectation amongst the three thousand strong in attendance for this one and Rovers began well.
City stopper Conor Brann was forced into an early save when Rovers’ top-scorer Elding ran on to a smart through ball from James McManus, Elding’s shot lacking the power to worry Brann.
O’Kane and Elding both fashioned further chances, Brann doing well to stop the latter’s bullet effort from the angle on eleven minutes.
When they settled, the Leesiders did find joy down their right side courtesy of Joshua Fitzpatrick. Paddy McLean had to get in the way of Bolger and Alex Nolan shots after Fitzpatrick caused issues on his flank. While Hakiki’s header from an O’Kane cross was pushed into the air and caught at the first attempt by Brann.
Elding went close from close range on 20 after trojan work from Will Fitzgerald allowed O’Kane swing a cross towards the young striker. Elding’s reaction said it all as his miss-hit shot from seven yards dribbled past the post.
Elding’s header from another O’Kane cross then flew narrowly wide before the break as Rovers continued to apply pressure.
Now craving that opener, Rovers did create the first chance of the second period. Ollie Denham’s header from a Fitzgerald assist dropped in front of the City post before bouncing out of bounds.
Cork however threw a major spanner in the Sligo works on 58 minutes when Nolan lashed his strike beyond the reach of Sam Sargeant after patient build-up play by sub Evan McLaughlin.
The lead lasted just five minutes.
Elding picking out the bottom corner from 12 yards for his fifteenth goal of the year after Irish underage international Hakiki was fouled inside the Cork area.
The Showgrounds thought they had a glorious late winner when substitute Ciaron Harkin found the net, but their bubble was burst by referee Aaron O’Dowd after Cian Kavangh had fouled a Cork defender.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Edwin Agbaje, Ollie Denham, Paddy McClean, Sean Stewart (Ciaron Harkin 70); James McManus (Cian Kavanagh 60), Seb Quirk; Ryan O’Kane, Jad Hakiki, Will Fitzgerald; Owen Elding.
Cork City: Conor Brann; Fiacre Kelleher, Matthew Kiernan, Freddie Anderson; Greg Bolger (Kaedyn Kamara 61), Sean Murray (Darragh Crowley 37); Joshua Fitzpatrick, Kitt Nelson, Conor Drinan (Charlie Lutz 73); Alex Nolan (Brody Lee 73); Sean Maguire (Evan McLaughlin HT).
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
Attendance: 3,060.
David Goulden