Carlow's unbeaten league run came to a halt at Markievicz Park yesterday. Without their Eire Og players, Carlow struggled early on and trailed by seven points - 1-6 to 0-2 - at half-time. They came storming back after the break and got to within two points of Sligo with five minutes remaining.

A brilliantly-converted free by Dessie Sloyne gave Sligo breathing space - the same player had punched Sligo's goal after just five minutes.

Sligo: P Walsh; J Joyce, C White, M Cosgrove; D Durkin, N Clancy, R Kane; D Kevany, P Durcan; E Cawley (0-2), E O'Hara, B Walsh; G McGowan (0-1), D Sloyne (1-1), P Taylor (0-4). Subs: P Doohan for Kane (25 mins); S Davey for Kevany (47 mins); C O'Meara for O'Hara (55 mins).

Carlow: J Clarke; V Farrell, A Gordon, P O'Dwyer; J Kavanagh (0-1), S Kavanagh (0-1), J McGrath; K Walker, P Nolan; M Carpenter, J Nevin (0-1), P Nolan; K McGrath, J Reid, M Nolan (0-4). Subs: R Donnelly for Reid (35 mins); S O'Brien for J McGrath (40 mins); N Doyle for P Nolan (47 mins).

Referee: D Joyce (Galway)