Sligo Rovers squeezed through to the quarter finals of the FAI cup thanks to a late winner by substitute Glen Shannon against Cobh Ramblers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Cobh looked to be on course for a shock result when Sean Francis gave them a deserved lead after 19 minutes. However, Sligo quickly gained the upper hand and produced their best display of the season to finally kill off Ramblers' effort.

The first division outfit dominated the opening exchanges and it came as no surprise when Francis edged them in front following good work on the right flank by Tony Izzi.

Sligo, who were missing several first team regulars, got the break they needed after 32 minutes when Dutchman Johnny Hoeks, bundled the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble following Nicky Reid's corner kick.

With man of the match Mark Hutchinson leading by example from midfield, Sligo stepped up the pace after the interval and Cobh came under increasing pressure. It looked as if the Cork side had weathered the storm but then substitute Shannon delivered the knockout blow. It was another substitute, Sean Flannery who created the danger, with an inch-perfect pass, and Shannon created sufficient space to unleash a blistering 20-yard shot low to the net in the 82nd minute.

Sligo Rovers: Broujos, McLynn, CHarles, SHeridan, Lynch, Rolands, Reid, Ogden, Hutchinson, Oates, Hoecks. Subs: Shannon for Oates (75 mins), Flannery for Hoecks (80 mins).

Cobh Ramblers: O'Shea, Kelly, Murphy, Byrne, Cragoe, O'Connor, Kenneally, Butler, Coughlan, Izzi, Francis. Subs: Dalton for O'Connor (87 mins), Long for Byrne (90 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Westmeath).