FAI CUP THIRD ROUND/Shamrock Rovers 2 Sligo Rovers 1:THE RELIEF was palpable as headed goals from Padraig Amond and Aidan Price put Shamrock Rovers into the fourth round of the FAI Cup. Pat Scully's side's first win in 12 games avenged last season's cup exit, albeit against a Sligo team that had to play for 70 minutes with 10 men.

"The great thing about football is that eight weeks ago when we were second I was a king. It can turn so quickly and people are talking that you could get sacked," said Scully. "People have looked and thought why are there no 'Scully out' banners. I think they see the way I manage and the way the players conduct themselves since we came here and the relationship is built on trust and honesty."

Sligo left-back Chris Butler's dismissal for a second booking for allegedly simulating a head butt on Barry Ferguson was the chief note of a hideously poor first half.

Thankfully the second half was better with Amond heading home Seán O'Connor's free-kick for the lead on 51 minutes.

Captain Price added a second goal with a towering header from Alan Murphy's corner on the hour.

Sligo battled back and Anto Murphy blasted home on 66 minutes after a corner wasn't cleared following a brilliant save by Barry Murphy from Matt Judge.

"Anyone who was at the game and saw the referee's performance can work it out for themselves," said Sligo manager Paul Cook of Buttimer. "If that's professional standard refereeing then I just give up. It's not. It's funny and it's not fair. We're asking for consistency."

SHAMROCK ROVERS: B Murphy; G O'Brien, Ferguson, Price, Treacy; S O'Connor (Stapleton, 73 mins), D O'Connor, Maguire (Purcell, 79 mins), McGill (Baker, 59 mins); A Murphy, Amond.

SLIGO ROVERS: Jennings; Coleman, Peers, Almeida (McKenzie, 72 mins), Butler; Cash (Judge, 62 mins), O'Grady, Ventre, Doherty (Cretaro, 62 mins); Kuduzovic, Murphy.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).