By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers completed a third Women’s Premier Division campaign at the Showgrounds on Saturday with another spirited performance that earned a draw against Wexford.

Katie Melly had an opening for the hosts in the first minute, but Wexford goalkeeper Jayne Merren made a fine save.

Wexford then hit the front when Orlaith Conlon’s speculative effort from about 25 metres dipped under the Sligo Rovers crossbar in the fourth minute.

Play was delayed for a couple of minutes soon after when Merren sustained an injury in an aerial clash with Katie Melly and the Wexford goalkeeper was replaced by Nicole Nix.

Sligo Rovers dictated when play resumed and created a number of chances and had a ‘goal’ disallowed from Leah Kelly’s corner when substitute goalkeeper Nicole Nix caught the ball, but ended up in the net.

The hosts got back on level terms in the 30th minute when a superbly struck Sarah Kiernan free deflected off a Wexford defender into her own net.

The Bit O’Red continued to press for the lead and Keri Loughrey’s effort skimmed the top of the crossbar in the 34th minute.

Close to the interval Paula McGrory’s header from Leah Kelly’s cross was tipped over by Nicole Nix.

Sligo Rovers were quick out of the traps for the second-half as interval substitute Anna McDaniel headed to the Wexford net with her first touch within a minute of the resumption.

However, Wexford got back on terms about 10 minutes later when Orlaith Conlon finished in a crowded Sligo penalty area.

Both sides created well-worked chances subsequently without hitting the target.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Cara King, Alice Lillie, Keeva Flynn, Sarah Kiernan, Leah Kelly, Emma Hansberry, Paula McGrory, Eimear Lafferty, Katie Melly, Keri Loughrey. Subs – Anna McDaniel for Hansberry half-time, Rebecca Doddy for McGrory 66m, Kelsey Munroe for Flynn 81m, Roise Burke for Kelly, Jessica Casey for Lafferty and Keela Scanlon for King all 90m.

Wexford – Jayne Merren; Abby Tuthill, Orlaith Conlon, Della Maria Doherty, Leah McGrath, Ciara Rossiter, Meabh Russell, Aoibheann Clancy, Aine Walsh, Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan, Millie Daly. Subs – Nicole Nix for Merren four mins, Riana Jarrett for Walsh and Aisling Roche for Walsh both 58m, Siun Murdiff for Fitzpatrick-Ryan 70m, Alyssa White for McGrath 81m

Referee – Robert Dowling.

Assistant-referees – Christopher Daly, Darragh White.

Fourth official – Phillip Harrison.