Malley makes the difference as Sligo see off Drogs for successive wins 

Bank Holiday weekend bonanza for the Bit O'Red as John Russell's side pick up six points in three days thanks to first-half salvo

ALL SMILES: Sligo Rovers' Connor Malley made the key difference in the first half. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

LOI Premier Division: Sligo Rovers Drogheda 1 

Sligo Rovers rounded off a great bank holiday weekend for the club with a narrow win over Drogheda United at the Showgrounds. A Mathew O'Brien own-goal was followed up by a Connor Malley strike which had Rovers well on their way.

Drogs did make things uncomfortable for Rovers in the second half when former player Jack Keaney halved the deficit just moments after the re-start. However, the Bit O'Red, who announced the signing of winger Stephen Mallon at half-time, held on for a valuable win which follows up last Friday's defeat of league leaders Shelbourne.

The Louth side passed up three good chances to register a goal in the first 45. But they were left chasing the game 18 minutes in when Stefan Radosavljevic's free-kick was pushed on to his crossbar by Drogs goalkeeper Andrew Wogan. Malley's subsequent follow up came off the unfortunate O'Brien who turned the ball into his own net.

Evan Weir and Steve Bawa both missed chances for the visitors before Rovers doubled their lead on 43, Malley volleying home after Drogheda failed to deal with Kailin Barlow's set-piece from the Sligo left.

Kevin Doherty's half-time team talk did the trick as Keaney fired the away side back into contention with a clinical finish less than 40 seconds into the second half. Bawa again went close a few minutes later as the Showgrounds stressed.

Fabrice Hartmann should have relieved that stress mid-way through the second half. The German was tracked down by a Drogheda defender after he looked like he might meet Wogan one-on-one. But he passed up the opportunity only for the ball to return to him unmarked, ten yards from goal. The RB Leipzig loanee however, wastefully blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

Drogheda substitute Warren Davis had two late chances as they scrapped in vain for an equaliser. His first effort was easily swallowed up by McGinty 11 minutes from time while his second attempt three minutes from time lacked the power as he looked to place his shot towards the top corner.

The result sees Sligo move nine points clear of the relegation play-off spot while Drogheda drop to the foot of the table following Dundalk's shock win over St Pat's.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 81), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 56); Kailin Barlow (Will Fitzgerald 66).

Drogheda United: Andy Wogan; Luke Heeney (Killian Cailloce 86), Andy Quinn, Jack Keaney, Conor Kane (Warren Davis 60); Steve Bawa, Matthew O'Brien, Oisin Gallagher, Evan Weir; Ryan Brennan; Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 66).

Referee: Marc Lynch.