Derry City came from behind to defeat Sligo Rovers 2-1 on the opening night of the Premier Division season at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Josh Thomas’ strike from outside the area heading into stoppage time completed the turnaround.
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Jad Hakiki had given Sligo a 1-0 lead in the first half, while Rovers’ goalkeeper Sam Sargeant was in inspired form to keep their lead intact.
He was eventually undone by a terrific strike from Alex Bannon in the 81st minute before Thomas secured all three points for the Candystripes.
Winning when not at your best is a good trait to have, and for a team in Derry who are fancied to go toe-to-toe with champions Shamrock Rovers this season, a win in these circumstances will come as a welcome start for manager Tiernan Lynch.
City enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, but the visitors held their ground.
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John Russell’s side hit the front on half an hour when Hakiki helped Jeannot Esua’s cross on beyond Brian Maher and into the Derry net.
Having last won at the Brandywell back in July 2020 in front of no spectators, Sligo found themselves in a rare position at the break.
The home side went in search of an equaliser but were repelled from all angles by Sargeant.
He first denied Thomas with the forward through on goal and moments later leapt to tip Carl Winchester’s effort onto the crossbar.
But with less than ten minutes of normal time remaining, Derry finally got back on terms when Bannon’s drive flew past Sargeant from outside the area.
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Then, as the clock entered the red, Thomas, on his league debut, cut inside and placed a curling effort low into the far corner.
That was enough to pick up the win on a night where James McClean made his return to the Foyleside turf. Derry hosy Dundalk next Friday night in their second game.
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