A top-class display of goal-keeping by Matt Boswell which included a dramatic injury-time penalty save, inspired Sligo Rovers to a crucial victory over Shamrock Rovers in a pulsating game at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Boswell had already produced two stunning saves to stop point blank efforts from Jason Sherlock and Gareth O'Connor before he sent the home fans delirious by diving low to his right to keep out Sherlock's 93rd-minute spot-kick after Billy Woods had been hauled down by Ian Lynch.

Boswell's inspired display was in stark contrast to the fortunes of his opposite number Robert Forde who came into the game after only 10 minutes to replace the injured Tony O'Dowd and whose error paved the way for Sligo's deserved winner.

Forde should have dealt comfortably with a high speculative cross from Steve Birks in the 68th minute, but instead he dropped the ball directly into the path of Sligo substitute Glen Shannon who gleefully stabbed home his seventh goal for the season.

Although Forde's fumble proved to be a lucky break for Sligo, it was no more than the home side deserved as they bombarded the Hoops' goal with relentless pressure, forcing no fewer than 14 corners. Marcus Hallows, John Hoeks and Conor O'Grady all went within inches of opening the scoring before Shannon finally made the breakthrough which keeps alive Sligo survival hopes.

Sligo Rovers: Boswell, McLynn, Sheridan, Birks, Lynch; Kennedy, O'Grady, Hoeks, Hutchison; Hallows, Oates. Subs: Shannon for Oates (60 mins), Marshall for Kennedy (90 mins).

Shamrock Rovers: O'Dowd; Britton, Whelan, Brazil, Palmer; Colwell, Purdy, Tracey, Woods; O'Connor, Sherlock. Subs: Forde for O'Dowd (10 mins), Dunne for Brazil (59 mins), O'Neill for Colwell (65 mins).

Referee: P McKeown (Dublin)