SSE Airtricity League: Derry record second defeat losing 2-1 to Sligo

Ronan Curtis opened the scoring for Derry City

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

Rovers 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.

The Showground hosts 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.

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.

Derry are back in league action on Tuesday night with a trip to Bohemians.

The Candy Stripes return to the redeveloped Brandywell for their first home game of the season three days later to face Dundalk.