Former Hearts star Aidan Keena came back to haunt Motherwell as he provided Sligo Rovers with a slender lead to take to Northern Ireland in their Europa Conference League second qualifying round.Keena struck in 27 minutes when he pounced on Mugabi's slack passback and lobbed the ball over Kelly and into the net.It was no more than the visitors deserved by that point, having threatened a few times, while Motherwell didn't create much up front, though Blair Spittal and Kevin van Veen went close ahead of the interval.Sligo disappeared somewhat after their goal, though they popped up on occasions to remind the Steelmen that there was a definite threat there.Though Josh Morris was unlucky with a free kick in the second half, and Callum Slattery saw a fierce shot well saved, Motherwell just didn't do enough to test Rovers.They were maybe given a late let-off too, as Jake Carroll appeared to handle a Max Mata header on the line.Motherwell boss Graham Alexander started all three of his new signings in Paul McGinn, Blair Spittal and Josh Morris, while striker Kevin van Veen took his place up front.His Sligo Rovers counterpart John Russell made three changes from their 2-0 defeat against University College Dublin on Sunday.

In came Karl O'Sullivan, Adam McDonnell and Gerry Buckley, for Nando Pijnaker, Frank Liivak and Max Mata, who were all on the bench.Sligo created the first chance of the game and inside the opening minute William Fitzgerald blasted over at the right post.At the other end, Morris rippled the left side-netting with a shot in three minutes.Sligo went close again in eight minutes when Buckley's cross from the left was met on the volley by Lewis Banks, but Liam Kelly made a smart save on the line.Former Hearts and

Motherwell 0, Sligo Rovers 1: Keena strikes as Sligo take slim advantage to Ireland

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