LEAGUE OF IRELAND: Sligo 1 Shamrock Rovers 2:GARY TWIGG was spot on as high flying Shamrock Rovers soared to the top of the Premier Division with a deserved 2-1 win over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Twigg scored his third goal in two games in the space of a week with a clinical 50th minute finish from the penalty spot after Alan Keane brought down Graham Barrett in a crowded goalmouth.

Sligo got a dream start after 32 minutes when Raffaele Cretaro was given too much space in front of goal before firing low into the corner of the net past Alan Mannus. The Hoops went ahead in the 70th minute when Gary Twigg’s corner kick caused panic in the home defence with Gavin Peers knocking the ball past Richard Brush for an own goal.

Paul Cooke’s side enjoyed possession during the opening 45 minutes but the visitors came out for the second half with all guns blazing.

Dublin referee Dean McKeon came in for some criticism for his handling of the game. The home supporters felt that the penalty decision was harsh and they also questioned the corner-kick that led to the Hoops winning goal.

The referee was booed by the disgruntled Sligo fans as he walked off the pitch after the match. Sligo boss Cooke was unhappy with the quality of some of the refereeing in the league which was “not right” and was “changing games”.

O’Neill said the penalty decision was a correct one: “The physical nature of some of the exchanges tested the referee from the start.”

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Boco, Kendrick, Peers, Keane, O'Grady, Cash, Ventre, Blinkhorn, Cretaro, Marshall. Subs: Ryan for Cash (68); Morrison for Marshall (71); Turner for Keane (85).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus, Price, Sives, Rice, Twigg, Bradley, Cahill, Treacy, Baker, Flynn, Chisholm. Subs: Barrett for Baker (ht); Robinson for Treacy (ht); Johnston for Twigg (88).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).