DAVID CAWLEY scored the only goal of the game as Sligo Rovers knocked a weakened Waterford out of the EA Sports Cup at the Showgrounds.
Boss Alan Reynolds made nine changes to his high-flying Waterford side, as only Gavin Holohan and Rory Feely retained their places from the team that beat Dundalk last Friday.
And the Blues were also forced into an early change as Kenny Browne had to be replaced by Shane Griffin.
The hosts made four switches to the team that disappointed in defeat to Bohemians, with Regan Donelon, Adam Wixted, Lewis Morrison and Caolan McAleer brought in.
But boss Gerard Lyttle kept faith with impressive 18-year-old centre-back John Mahon, as club captain Kyle Callan-McFadden was benched again.
A scoreless first half in front of just over 500 fans was shaded by the home side, who found young keeper Matthew Connor in solid form.
McAleer tested the stopper early on after a neat one-two with Morrison but Connor made the save.
Patrick McClean had already glanced a header wide, and Connor was again called into action as the full-back’s cross found Greg Moorhouse in the area.
Gary Boylan and McAleer missed the target with further efforts, while Donelon spurned a good opportunity inside the box.
The Blues’ best first-half efforts were snapshots from Holohan, neither of which really tested Rovers goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney.
Waterford forward Faysel Kasmi then pulled a shot across the face of goal early in the second period.
As Rovers’ top scorer Adam Morgan was being readied — in a return from a combination of injury and suspension — Cawley broke the deadlock.
The midfielder finished from close range after John Mahon’s flick directed Donelon’s corner into the danger zone.
Morgan came on straight after and immediately had an effort on goal but Connor saved once more.
Sligo held on to reach the semi-finals, despite a nervy finish as McClean, Rhys McCabe and Cawley were all booked.
SUN STAR MAN: Matthew Connor (Waterford)
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