A point in injury time by Paul Taylor earned Sligo a deserved draw against Monaghan at Markievicz Park yesterday. It was entirely appropriate that Taylor was the man who came to Sligo's rescue, for he had been an inspirational figure throughout, contributing a goal and seven points to his side's tally.

The sides were level at 0-6 each at the end of a low-key first half. Sligo led 0-3 to 0-1 after eight minutes, but Monaghan were the more forceful team in the closing stages of the half with Declan Smyth and Declan McKernan providing the levelling scores.

Ken Killeen's introduction after the break injected added urgency to the Sligo attack and the substitute was centrally involved in the move which brought the home side a penalty 18 minutes into the half. At that stage the teams were level (0-9 each) but Taylor's expertly converted penalty put Sligo in the driving seat.

When Eamon Cawley added on a point a minute later, it looked all over for Monaghan. Then , with eight minutes remaining, McKernan got in behind the Sligo defence to slide the ball to the net and the Ulster side's revival was under way.

Late points by substitute Stephen McGinnity and Smyth put Monaghan in front, but Taylor salvaged a draw for Sligo with the equaliser a minute into injury time.