Limerick lost their unbeaten record as Sligo Rovers held on for a hard earned win at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

The visitors looked as if they might take another major scalp when Craig Curran rifled the ball past Gary Rogers in the 32nd minute but an Anthony Elding header squared the match two minutes into stoppage time to set an intriguing second half.

It was the former Leeds United striker’s sixth goal in five appearances for the league champions.

Limerick were undone with six minutes of normal time remaining when Jeff Henderson drilled the ball to the net in a crowded goalmouth.

Controversy
The game ended in controversy with Limerick adamant that they should have been awarded a penalty two minutes into added time. Substitute Kieran Djalali took down Danny Galbraith but referee Rob Rogers instead booked the Limerick player. The Limerick players protested vigoriously at what they felt was a harsh decision with goalkeeper Barry Ryan shown a red card.

Commenting on the penalty claim Limerick manager Stuart Taylor said “when a decision is made we have to deal with it and get back up again. The referee has a hard job but if we didn’t have them we would have no games of football”. Taylor praised his players for their “fantastic work ethic against a very good and experienced Sligo team”.

Rovers manager Ian Baraclough said Limerick were “as good a team as we came up against this season. ”