League Report: Drogheda United 0 - 4 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers won in emphatic circumstances at United Park on Friday night, as Robert Bayly's sending off midway through the first half signalled a capitulation by Drogheda and handed Micky Adams his first win. Two goals from Morten Nielsen either side of a Jason Hughes goal gave Sligo a healthy lead, but the final goal was kept for Anthony Elding, scoring on his return to Sligo from the penalty spot.

Sligo welcomed back John Russell into their starting line-up, while Drogheda United made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 against Bray the previous Friday, as Robert Bayly, Alan Byrne, Ger Pender and Mark O'Brien all came in.

Initially those changes seemed to be working as the game started quite brightly for Johnny McDonnell's Drogs. A counter-attack seeing Bayly register a shot on goal and a better effort soon after from Lee Duffy saw him get a strike on goal from the edge of the box. Both efforts were dealt with well by Richard Brush.

On twenty five minutes the game had its turning point, as Robert Bayly was shown a straight red card for a tackle on John Russell. Only a minute later, Sligo took the lead as things went from bad to worse for Drogheda. Russell's corner was crossed in and met by the bullet header of Nielsen.

In a flash Drogheda's gameplan was ruined and Johnny McDonnell was forced to make a tactical change. Stephen Maher came on to give the Drogs more stability in midfield as Adam Whelan made way, but it probably came a bit too late to stop the second goal.

A mistake involving Alan Byrne and Sean Thornton allowed Jason Hughes to run through on goal unopposed and he showed calmness and composure to slot past Schlingermann and register his first goal for his new club.

Sligo went in at half-time in complete control while Drogheda left the field in shock. The second half didn't get much better for the home side as Morten Nielsen scored his second goal early in the second half.

The goal came once again from a John Russell cross, this time from open play and Nielsen got a header on goal. Schlingermann made the save from the initial effort, but Nielsen was able to score from the rebound.

Nielsen had efforts to secure his hat-trick, but poor finishing and a save from Schlingermann at the near post denied him the match ball. Drogheda did show fight during the rest of the second half, which hopefully gave Johnny McDonnell something to be positive about, but five minutes from time Sligo scored their final goal to put the tie to bed.

Substitute Keith Ward was brought down in the area by Mick Daly and another substitute stepped up to take the penalty. Anthony Elding, the man Drogs' fans must hate, ensured his heroic return to Sligo was capped off by a goal as he slotted the ball into the left corner past Schlingermann.

Mick Adams will have been delighted as Sligo returned to Connacht with all three points and now there's a heap of pressure on Drogheda and quite a few other teams as the relegation battle heats up with only 9 games remaining in the league.

Finally, a special mention and congratulations to David Cawley, who has welcomed his second daughter into the world this week.

Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Robert O'Reilly, Alan Byrne, Mick Daly, Mark O'Brien (Bob McKenna 65); Jason Marks, Robert Bayly, Sean Thornton, Ger Pender; Lee Duffy (Mark Hughes 73), Adam Whelan (Stephen Maher 29)

Subs Not Used: Evin Farrell, Joe Gorman, Sean Brennan, Nathan Seery

Yellow Cards: O'Brien (35)

Sent Off: Bayly (25)

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Alan Keane, Tim Clancy, Gavin Peers, Regan Donelon; Sander Puri, Gary Boylan, John Russell (Keith Ward 73), Jason Hughes, Raffaele Cretaro (Anthony Elding 76); Morten Nielsen (Dinny Corcoran 76)

Subs Not Used: Ryan Coulter, Gary Armstrong, Patrick Nzuzi, Rob Lehane

Yellow Cards: Peers (45)

Referee: Ray Matthews

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: John Russell (Sligo Rovers)