Sligo Rovers 1 Waterford FC 0

Waterford’s return to league action ended in defeat as they lost out to Sligo Rovers by one goal to nil at the Showgrounds in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

Waterford manager John Coleman had to plan without the suspended Rowan McDonald and it was Jesse Dempsey who came in for his first league start of the season.

The Blues got what they thought was the perfect start when Padraig Amond had the ball in the net inside two minutes but the goal was ruled out by a late flag for offside.

Sligo broke the deadlock on 2o minutes when Jad Hakiki got behind the Blues defence and when he pulled the ball back it was Wilson Waweru who reacted and he fired home from close range.

A free kick from Tommy Lonergan 15 minutes later nearly caught Sam Sargeant but he got down to smother the ball while James Olayinka also tested the former Blue just after the hour with a shot from the top of the area that was spilled by Sargeant but scrambled away.

Waterford continued to press forward with a great move ending with a Kyle Whyte cross being met by Grant Horton but he headed straight at the goalkeeper.

Waterford had strong claims for two penalties when John Mahon appeared to handle the ball as he tried to clear a cross while in injury time Ben McCormack appeared to be barged to the ground but the referee waved both of the claims away.

Despite the majority of possession Waterford could not find a way through and Sligo held on for a vital three points.

Sligo Rovers: S Sargeant, R Hutchinson, W Fitzgerald, J Hakiki (S Mallon 59′), W Waweru (F Lomboto 78′), R Manning, J Mahon, C Reynolds (K McDonagh 59′), O Elding, J Doyle-Hayes, G McElroy

Waterford FC: S McMullan, R Burke, G Horton, J Olayinka (B McCormack 69′), P Amond, J Dempsey, D Leahy, K Whyte (S Keane 79′), T Lonergan, S Glenfield (D McMenamy 69′), C Noonan

Referee: Oliver Moran