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John Russell, pictured here in 2013, was on the scoresheet. Donall Farmer/INPHO
Match Report

McMillan snatches late winner as Sligo fightback stuns Athlone

John Russell was the architect of the Bit O’Red’s comeback.

Sligo Rovers 2

Athlone Town 1

SLIGO ROVERS GOT their 2014 Premier Division campaign off to a good start with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Athlone Town at The Showgrounds.

Ian Baraclough’s men overturned a one goal deficit to take all three points against last year’s First Division champions. Athlone took the lead in the 53rd minute thanks to a Philip Gorman penalty, before John Russell equalised eleven minutes later, with Evan McMillan adding their second in the 87th minute.

The home side took control of proceedings early on, and went close on four minutes when Danny Ledwith’s free-kick from the edge of the box clipped the left post, before West Ham loanee Sean Maguire headed an Alan Keane cross just wide of the post.

Athlone had their first opportunity on 17 minutes when Kealan Dillon skipped past Ledwith, before crossing the ball to James O’Brien whose tame effort was easily gathered by Sligo ‘keeper Gary Rogers.

It was Mick Cooke’s side who would take the lead in the 53rd minute. Referee Rob Rogers awarded Athlone a penalty following a Ledwith handball in the Sligo box, and Philip Gorman hit it low beating Rogers in goal.

The 2013 FAI Cup winners soon levelled, when David Cawley’s cross from the right beat the rising Paul Skinner allowing John Russell to nod it in to make it one a piece. Defender Evan McMillan, brought on in the 76th minute up front, secured three points for Rovers in the 87th minute when he netted from John Russell’s ball.

Evan McMillan Evan McMillan scored Sligo's winner. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers, Ledwith, Spillane, Henderson, Keane (c), Greene (Cretaro, 64), Cawley (O’Conor, 70), Russell, Ndo, Odhiambo, Maguire (McMillan, 76).Substitutes: Brush, Conneely, Dykes, Flatley.ATHLONE TOWN: Skinner, S. Byrne, McMahon (Sweeney, 89), Collins (c), Dillon, Marks (Harney, 82), A. Byrne, Hughes, Brennan (Rusk, 71), Gorman, O’Brien.Substitutes: Sexton, Brennan.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

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