Bohemians climb to second with comfortable win over Sligo Rovers

SECOND IN THE TABLE: Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds applauds the fans after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Sligo Rovers 1 Bohemians 3

Bohemians go into the summer break in second spot after a relatively routine win over an injury-hit Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

A consolation goal from Ryan O'Kane had halved Bohs' lead after goals from Douglas James-Taylor and Colm Whelan, but Conor Parsons' strike seven minutes from time sealed the Dubliners' victory.

The Bit O'Red's tenth defeat of the season sees them go into the break in the relegation play-off spot ahead of a huge meeting with basement side Waterford on their return to action in two weeks.

Looking to shake the cobwebs following late anguish in the derby on Monday night, Bohs came chasing a second win in the northwest this year following a four-goal pasting of Sligo back on Valentine's night.

Making three changes from that loss to Shamrock Rovers, it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous side throughout.

One of those changes James-Taylor went close early on when he nicked the ball off Rovers’ skipper Will Fitzgerald at the end line. The former Drogheda striker's turn on the shot palmed away by Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

Canada bound Dawson Devoy struck the side netting five minutes later as Alan Reynolds' side continued to probe.

The Dubliners then went ahead just short of the half hour but did have two worrying moments when net minder Kacper Chorazka first had to push a Fitzgerald cross onto his own crossbar. While the Krakow native had to recover in time to catch a Jeannot Esua cross at the second attempt after the Bohs number one had fumbled the initial cross.

Bohs loanee Harry Vaughan fired wide from inside the Sligo area with space and time on his side shortly before they took the lead.

Vaughan played his part as he sent James-Taylor through. The ex-Walsall man breezed past Gareth McElroy before slotting past Sargeant from the angle for his third of the season.

The second period was just four minutes old when Bohs had their second as Whelan, who netted a hat-trick on his last visit to Sligo, rounded Sargeant before finishing to an empty net.

Without five players through injury and the ineligible James McManus, Rovers halved the deficit on 54 when O'Kane's neat dummy allowed him the room to set himself before firing into the bottom of Chorazka's goal. 

Whelan again threatened when Sean McHale diverted the former UCD striker's shot past Sargeant's goal, after Whelan had done well to trap the ball before shooting on the spin.

Chorazka held another O'Kane drive as Rovers pushed for that leveller, but sub Parsons found Bohs' insurance goal seven from time when he made the most of poor defending from Sligo.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham (Alex Nolan 66), Gareth McElroy, Shane Blaney; Carl McHugh, Sean McHale; Will Fitzgerald (Kyle McDonagh 91), Daire Patton, Ryan O'Kane; Cian Kavanagh (Mai Traore HT).

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Sam Todd, Cian Byrne, Patrick Hickey; Darragh Power (Adam McDonnell 87), Dayle Rooney (Jordan Flores HT); Dawson Devoy, Sadou Diallo (Niall Morahan 77); Harry Vaughan (Conor Parsons 69), Douglas James-Taylor (Colm Whelan HT), Ross Tierney.

Referee: Alan Patchell.