Jim McGuinness’ first NFL match at the helm seemed to be slipping from Donegal’s grasp when they went eight points down, with defender Kevin Mulhern sent-off.

Mulhern was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident, before Adrian Marren steered Sligo into an 0-08 to 0-06 interval lead.

Sligo danger man David Kelly netted for a 1-11 to 0-06 scoreline, but goals from captain Michael Murphy (penalty) and Neil McGee inspired a memorable comeback from the hosts.

This was an incident-packed encounter and Donegal’s teenage goalkeeper Peter Boyle endured a nervy opening. He dropped a ball but recovered well to save Kelly’s goal-bound shot.

Midfielder Tony Taylor sent Sligo ahead in the fifth minute, before Donegal answered back with frees from Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy and a score from Dermot Molloy.

A third point free from Murphy was sandwiched by efforts from Mark Breheny (17 minutes) and centre-back Mark Quinn (21), who split the posts after a fine take by Keelan Cawley.

Molloy kicked Donegal’s fifth point of the evening, but Sligo were finding their range in front of goal. Some patient build-up play was rewarded with scores from Marren, Breheny and Stephen Gilmartin, sending them back in front at 0-06 to 0-05.

Donegal’s mood darkened when Mulhern saw red for an incident near the sideline and two immediate points from Marren widen the gap to three.

McFadden pointed before the break for Donegal, but the extra man helped Sligo break clear on the scoreboard in the early part of the second half.

Breheny thundered through on goal and although his shot was saved by Boyle, Kelly was on hand to poke home the rebound for a 1-09 to 0-06 lead.

Sligo were excelling at both ends of the pitch, a superb block from Ross Donovan showing their desire to claim an opening round scalp. Marren and Kelly fired over further points to leave eight between the sides.

Kelly’s last score, which he knocked over after being found in acres of space, seemed to flick a switch for Donegal as they roared back into contention.

Points from Roy Kavanagh and Leo McLoone began the fightback, with McFadden adding another, and the momentum was building.

When full-back Conor Davey was whistled up for picking the ball up off the ground, Murphy stepped up to convert a penalty at the second attempt. Goalkeeper Philip Greene dived to save the first shot, but the rebound was tucked away by the young Donegal skipper.

Davey redeemed himself with a well-taken point and Sligo showed their fortitude with a Breheny score, after McLoone found the target at the other end.

But a goal from McGee, who had his McKenna Cup red card rescinded, increased the pressure on Sligo and although Taylor pointed them ahead again, Griffin had the final say in a dramatic climax.