Sligo Rovers fight back to end Bohs’ unbeaten run

Adam McDonnell was sent off for Bohemians

Sean McHale scored the winning goal for Sligo Rovers against Bohemians. Pic: Adam Russell/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Bohemian FC  1 Sligo Rovers 2 

10-MAN Bohs saw their unbeaten run come to an end against an impressive Sligo Rovers side who came from behind to grab a huge win with ramifications at both ends of the table.

Zane Myers' stunning first of the season was cancelled out by a clever improvised Will Fitzgerald flick, before Sean McHale grabbed what proved to be a second half winner, as Adam McDonnell saw red late on.

An expectant Bohs home support were desperate to get back to winning ways against second from bottom Sligo Rovers but the visitors had other ideas.

The hosts started sharply though when Sadou Diallo played an incredible quarter-back style through ball that found Myers in behind. The on-loan Hull City man then cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable strike off the underside of the crossbar to break the deadlock.

But that was good as it got for the home support. Despite a winless run of five John Russell’s side have proved they have the quality to compete with a strong showing in their 0-0 home draw with Derry City, and 10 minutes later should have been level when Will Fitzgerald tee’d up Alex Nolan just yards from goal but the front man failed to sort his feet at the crucial moment.

But they didn't have to wait long to find a deserved equaliser following a dominant period, when the impressive Nolan’s inswinging cross from the right was poked home by Fitzgerald, having held off Darragh Power at the back post.

And just five minutes after the restart it was the visitors who turned the game on its head to take the lead.

With Diallo off the pitch receiving treatment, Bohs failed to deal with an inswinging corner as McHale reacted quickest to a near post flick on to put his side in front.

Douglas James-Taylor made his long-awaited return as they tried desperately to salvage a point but things went from bad to worse for the home side when former Sligo Rovers man Adam McDonnell received a harsh second yellow for a challenge on Esua as the defender tried to clear.

But despite their best efforts and a few half chances met by some resolute defending it was the visitors who took a deserved three points back out West.

BOHEMIANS: Kacper Chorazka; Darragh Power, Sam Todd, Pat Hickey, Jordan Flores; Sadou Diallo (Ryan Burke, 51’), Adam McDonnell: Connor Parsons (Markuss Strods, 46’), Ross Tierney, Zane Myers (Cian Byrne, 76’): Colm Whelan (Douglas James-Taylor, 63’) 

SLIGO ROVERS: Sam Sargeant: Sean McHale, Gareth McElroy, Oliver Denham: Jeannot Esua, Carl McHugh (Kyle McDonagh, 46’), Archie Meekison, Daire Patton ( Guilherme Rego Priosti, 90+1’), Will Fitzgerald; Alex Nolan (Shane Blaney, 67’), Cian Kavanagh (Jad Hakiki, 80’) 

Referee: Neil Doyle