THERE was a complete reversal of fortunes at Sligo Showgrounds on Saturday night where Sligo Rovers picked up their first league win since November 1st, at the expense of in-form St Patrick's Athletic.

Sligo's hero was 20-year-old midfielder Lewis Coady who scored a goal in each half on his home debut to send Saint Patrick's crashing back to earth after last week's comprehensive victory over Bohemians.

Sligo rode their luck at stages during the game but at the end of a highly entertaining contest they were good value for a victory which puts them back on the fringes of the championship race.

St Patrick's got a warning of things to come when Stephen Futcher, another of Sligo's new recruits, unleashed a vicious 20-yard shot which came back off the upright in the sixth minute.

Sligo's early pressure was finally rewarded after 28 minutes when Coady scored with a beautifully executed drive from 22 yards following good work on the nght flank by the impressive Johnny Kenny.

St Patrick's enjoyed their best spell in the closing stages of the first half and Martin Reilly was desperately unlucky to see a 20-yard, dipping shot come back off the crossbar in the 37th minute.

Three minutes later Sligo goalkeeper Nick Broujos came to his side's rescue with a brilliant fingertip save to keep out a diving header from Ricky O'Flaherty. Broujos was at his best again a minute before the interval when he somehow managed to flick a header from Paul Osam over the bar.

With Futcher and Coady dictating affairs at midfield Sligo were always dangerous on the break and they caught St Patrick's cold with their second goal after 72 minutes.

Padraig Moran created the opening with a persistent run and when the ball broke free to Coady he promptly despatched it to the net from 16 yards.