Roscommon managed to salvage an unlikely draw deep into stoppage time to deny IT Sligo victory in Kiltoom.
Points from Mark McHugh and Evan Regan had catapulted the visitors into a two-point lead but John Evans's charges showed commendable spirit to rescue the contest with points in injury time from Neil Collins and Cathal Cregg.
Conor Devaney’s 18th minute goal cemented the home side’s early dominance as they established a 1-6 to 0-3 lead inside the opening 20 minutes. But a plucky IT Sligo side responded in style, helped by Evan Regan’s 29th minute goal, to tie up the match by the break.
The sides were evenly matched for most of the second half with Ryan McHugh impressing for the visitors. Referee Liam Devenney issued the game's only black card to Sligo forward Stephen Coen in injury-time. But the drama didn't end there as Collins and Cregg stepped up to the mark for the home side.
ROSCOMMON: T Lowe; R Stack, N Daly, N Collins (0-1); S McDermott, N Daly, C Daly; K Higgins (0-2), D Shine (0-4; 1f, 1'45); D Keane (0-1), C Burns, P Kelly; C Murtagh (0-2), C Devaney (1-1, 1f), C Cregg (0-2). Subs: M Nally (0-1) for Kelly (h-t), D Murtagh for Devaney (47 mins), J Sharkey for Stack (48 mins), S Kilbride for Burns (51 mins).
IT SLIGO: A McCallig; R Donovan, B McQuaid, E Flanagan; K Cawley, M McHugh (0-2), S Fee; M Forde (0-1), D Geraghty; M McWeeney, R McHugh (0-4), C Mulryan (0-1); S Coen (0-2), E Regan (1-3, 0-3 frees), J Shaughnessy (0-1). Subs: S O'Grady for Geraghty (15 mins), C Kearins for McWeeney (50 mins), D Quinn for Forde (55 mins), P Laffey for McQuaid (60 mins), C Clinton for Coen (black card, 70 mins).
Referee: L Devenney (Mayo).
