Doyle ensures Sligo end jinx

SLIGO ROVERS powered to their first win over Shamrock Rovers in five attempts in a pulsating game at the Showgrounds last night.

A superb Eoin Doyle goal on the stroke of full time sealed victory for Paul Cooke’s side and sent the Hoops tumbling to their third defeat of the season.

Doyle swooped for his 14th goal of the season as the visitors threw everything at the home side in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a point after Gavin Peers had broken the deadlock in the first half.

Sligo had gone in front in the 38th minute when a Joseph Ndo corner was headed to the Hoops net by Gavin Peers.

Heavy rain before the game left the pitch in a sodden state and this was reflected in the fluency of the play as both sides struggled to bring a real sparkle into the proceedings..

The introduction of Gary Twigg and Ciaran Kilduff by Rovers boss Michael O Neill in the second half added bite to the visitors’ attack and Kilduff should have been awarded a penalty after 72 minutes when he was brought down by Peers. Doyle then swooped to wrap up the points.

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke, Keane, Greene, Peers, McGuinness, Ndo, Blinkhorn, Ryan, Kirby, Doyle, Cretaro (Dillon 75).

SHAMROCK ROVERS; Mannus, Sullivan, Stevens (Twigg 63), Sives, Oman, McCabe, McCormack, Rice, Dennehy, Turner, O’Neil (Kilduff 73).

Referee: Chris Buttimer (Cork).