Late Cretaro strike gives Sligo hope

Sligo 1 KS Vllaznia Shkoder 2: Alan Keane scored an own goal and missed a penalty as Sligo Rovers left themselves with a job…

Sligo 1 KS Vllaznia Shkoder 2: Alan Keane scored an own goal and missed a penalty as Sligo Rovers left themselves with a job to do after the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against KS Vllaznia Shkoder.

Keane redirected the ball into his own net in the 75th minute to double the visitors lead and hit the crossbar with a penalty six minutes later before Raffael Cretaro got one back from the spot two minutes from time.

The Albanian Cup winners took the lead after 69 minutes when they broke quickly and Dritan Smajlaj cut in from the left and hit the net from outside the box.

Rovers had been the better sided until then and hit the bar twice in the first half through Cretaro and Romauld Boco, but Keane doubled the Albanian's lead six minutes later.

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When Cretaro's cross was handled in the box, Keane had a chance to make amends but hit the bar with his effort from the spot.

Goalkeeper Dritan Smajlaj was red carded after hitting out at Richie Ryan minutes later, affording

Cretaro the opportunity to get one back.

The Tubbercurry man made no mistake to offer Rovers hope ahead of the return leg next Thursday.