League of Ireland Premier Division

Sligo Rovers 2, Derry City 2

Terence Doherty proved Derry City's two-goal hero after the teenager's late brace capped a superb Candy Striped comeback at the Sligo Showgrounds on Friday night.

The 17-year-old's first and second League of Ireland goals - both excellent instinctive finishes - arrived in the final 13 minutes of a game Sligo looked to be on control of when they led 2-0 at the break courtesy of strikes from Gareth McElroy and Ryan O'Kane.

However, Kaiyne Woolery's red card early in the second swung the momentum toward the visitors with Doherty's goals ensuring Mark Connolly team will go into next weekend's FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on an excellent run of six wins and three draws from their last 10 games in all competitions.

And what a night for Doherty! With interim-manager Connolly as expected making wholesale changes from last week's victory over Dundalk, the rising star chose his full debut to throw his hat into the ring for a part in next week's final with a display that will only enhance his growing reputation.

"It’s unreal,” smiled the City goalscorer, “There are no words really. I’m lost for words.

"Nothing was said during the week (about starting). Mark (Connolly) kept it to himself and the coaching staff as well. I wasn’t really thinking about starting but I was hoping I could get on and show Mark what I can do. I think I’ve shown him tonight,” he added.

Another young player making his full debut - Callum Downey - more than played his part with an assured display while two more teens, Liam Kelly and Yoann Prigent, also made debuts off the bench before Doherty struck on 77 and 82 minutes to round off City's league programme on a positive note.

In total, Connolly made 10 changes from the 2-1 victory over the Lilywhites with only Brian Maher retaining his place although the City boss was offering no clues as to which of his keeper's will start against Waterford as Tom Norcott was introduced at half-time.

Chasing a first league victory under Darren Purse, it was the home side who started the better as Kyle McDonagh saw his close range header easily gathered by a well positioned Maher. Derry then went close following a neat passing move which saw Gavin Whyte find Doherty, the teenager forward then teeing up Tyler Smith, but the striker's shot was parried away by home keeper Liam Hughes.

And it was a save that took on extra importance as Rovers grabbed the lead on 25 minutes when Luke Young's delightful free-kick from the right found McElroy lurking at the back post. The big centre-back shook off the attentions of Doherty and while his initial header was cleared by Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, the former City youngster turned home the loose ball from close range.

And Sligo doubled their advantage on 37 minutes when Woolery broke down the left. Again the Sligo player's initial shot from an acute angle was parried away by Maher, but unfortunately for the Candy Stripes No. 1, Ryan O'Kane was on hand to fire home the loose ball from six yards. Derry's troubles deepened when Christy Grogan picked up a head injury after a clash of heads with Woolery, an incident that saw Jamie Stott enter the fray just before the break as Derry went into the changing rooms two goals adrift.

Norcott was a second Derry change during the interval and the visitors fortunes changed only three minutes after the restart when Rovers were reduced to 10 men after Woolery was rightfully dismissed following a needless clash with Lyons-Foster. Indeed it proved a costly card for already relegated Rovers.

Derry made a double change on 71 minutes with Connolly handing striker Liam Boyce a crucial 20 minutes as he seeks to prove his fitness ahead of the Cup Final Aviva Stadium showdown, the big striker coming on alongside teen Yoann Prigent.

The changes worked a treat as the visitors pulled a goal back just six minutes later when Kevin Dos Santos' left wing cross found Whyte at the back post, the winger's driven cross being cleverly turned into the net by Doherty.

Boyce had a great chance to equalise on 80 minutes when he controlled well inside the box, but his tame side footed finish was easily saved by Hughes. However, the Candy Stripes were not to be denied and deservedly levelled when Liam Kelly's sublime left wing cross picked out Doherty at the back post from where the teenager headed superbly past Hughes.

A deserved draw and dream day for Doherty with all eyes now shifting to Dublin next Sunday!

Sligo Rovers: Hughes, Stewart (Denham HT), Quirk, Young, Shorrock (Kavanagh 56), Meekison, McDonagh, O'Kane (McManus 67), Woolery, McElroy, Patton.

Derry City: Maher (Norcott HT), Barr, Grogan, Lyons-Foster; Downey, Olayinka (Kelly 51), Markey (Prigent 71), Whyte, Dos Santos; Doherty, Smith (Boyce 71).

Referee: Declan Toland