Report: Sligo Rovers 1 - 2 St Patricks Athletic

Sligo Rovers came into tonight's game defending an impressive home record, while St Patrick's Athletic wanted a win at the Showgrounds to keep themselves ahead of the chasing pack in first position.

Sligo had the game's first chance after eight minutes when Anto Murphy had a volley cleared off the line by Damien Lynch. The volley by Murphy from inside the area was headed away by Lynch, who saved what looked like a certain goal. After the early scare, the Inchicore outfit regrouped and started to pressurise the Sligo backline. Good short ranged passing and neat close control was evident in Pat's play but it wasnt proving enough to break down the makeshift Sligo defence.

Sligo will consider themselves unlucky not to have scored when they won a free kick on the right hand side with six minutes of the half remaining. Three separate efforts all went within inches of opening the scoring. Brian Cash then had his header cleared off the line by Stephen Brennan. The clearance fell straight to former St. Patrick's Athletic man Anto Murphy, who's spectacular scissor kick was saved by Barry Ryan. Pat's were unable to clear the ball fully and Conor O'Grady was next to threaten the Pat's goal, his close range header hitting the crossbar.

The second half hadn't started long before Pats had an effort on goal. Ryan Guy blasted over from about twenty yards after he received the ball from a Dessie Byrne cross. Guy's shot had never really worried Richard Brush and cleared the crossbar with ease

Pat's then had two quick chances in succession, both from free kicks within scoring range. Gary Dempsey had the first effort - from just outside the Bit O'Red area he hit the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Pat's won a second free kick just right of centre. Up stepped free kick specialist Keith Fahey, however his shot was always rising and didn't trouble Brush in the slightest, much to the relief of the home support.

Sligos management then revitalised their team by replacing Matthew Judge with Benin international, Romauld Boco. Boco brought an extra attacking threat to the Bit O'Red, and within minutes of his introduction, he nearly broke the deadlock. Rafael Cretaro did well and released Kudozovic, who quickly laid the ball off to Boco. Boco advanced towards goal on the left wing and Ryan had to be alert to touch the ball wide of his near post. From the resulting corner, Sligo nearly went ahead again when O'Grady connected will Kudozovic's centre, however the impressive Ryan pulled off another fine save .

It was Guy who eventually opened the scoring in the sixty fifth minute when Pats quickly counter attacked on the right hand side. Guy dribbled close to the end line and had his first shot blocked by Danny Ventre, before he chipped the ball just inside the post with a delightful effort.

Sligo pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The St Pat's defence looked strong and just when it looked like Rovers were running out of ideas they scored with ten minutes remaining. Seán Doherty delivered a free kick into the box from the right and O'Grady steered the ball goal bound. The header looked like it would be cleared by the covering defenders but somehow made its way through the bodies and over line.

The parity was brief and within two minutes Jamie Harris had the Saints one up again. With the home fans still celebrating, Keith Fahey took a corner from the right. Harris had a free header and powered it past Brush in the Sligo goal.

Sligo face two tough away trips next week against Drogheda and then Bohemians. These games will show what Paul Cook's men are really made of and will give a good indication of how far the team has progressed. Pats face Bohemians in Richmond Park on Tuesday and Jeff Kenna's resurgent Galway United side on Friday. Six points will be the target but that's not to say they will be underestimating either opponents.

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Seamus Coleman, Danny Ventre, Gavin Peers, Jamie MacKenzie; Brian Cash (Sean Doherty 72), Conor O'Grady (c), Anto Murphy (Alan Moore 72), Raffaele Cretaro; Matthew Judge (Romauld Boco 56), Fahrudin Kuduzovic.
Subs not used: Pat Jennings, Gary Curran.

Booked: Coleman, Ventre, Cash.

St Patrick's Athletic: Barry Ryan; Stephen Brennan, Jamie Harris, Damien Lynch, Dessie Byrne; Alan Kirby, Keith Fahey, Gary Dempsey, Ryan Guy; Gary O'Neill (Glen Fitzpatrick 66), Mark Quigley (Joseph Ndo 86).
Subs not used: Brendan Clarke, Dave Partridge, Bobby Ryan.

Booked: Dempsey, Quigley.

Referee: Richie Winter.
Attendance: 2,100 (estimate)