Two players were sent off during an explosive second half at the Showgrounds on Saturday night as Sligo Rovers and Waterford United shared the spoils.
Sligo captain Stephen Birks was sent off six minutes after the break following an off-the-ball incident involving Alan Reynolds and Waterford's Mark Reid was shown the red card nine minutes later for a heavy challenge on Neil Ogden. Waterford were then leading 1-0 but Sligo stormed home and were rewarded when substitute Glen Shannon grabbed an equaliser in the 78th minute.
Waterford had looked the livelier side in the first half and it came as no surprise when Joe Harkin gave them the lead in the 21st minute, despatching a shot high into the net after Reid's pass had beaten the offside trap.
Sligo Rovers: Boswell, Callaghan, Hutchinson, Reid, Birks, Sheridan, Jones, Flannery, Hallows, Ogden, Rowlands. Sub: Shannon for Flannery (73 mins).
Waterford United: Byrne, Power, Frost, Lynch, Barry, Harkin, McGrath, Reid, Dully, Reynolds, Griffin. Subs: Gannon for Barry (44 mins), Wood for Dully (63 mins), Scully for Power (83 mins).
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Crusaders player-manager Aaron Callaghan has warned Glentoran against taking his side lightly at Seaview this afternoon as the Irish League leaders bid for their seventh consecutive victory. "Nobody gets an easy ride at Seaview," he said.
Linfield take on champions, Cliftonville, who showed some sign of a resurgence when drawing 2-2 with Glenavon.
