Sligo Rovers 3 Bohemians 1SLIGO ROVERS went nine points clear at the top of the table after another polished performance at the Showgrounds last night.

Rovers scored three times in the opening half with Keith Ward getting a consolation goal for Bohs in the 93rd minute

Derek Pender and Dave Mulcahy caught the eye for Bohs at the start of the first half as Rovers struggled to get into an attacking position.

Pascal Millien had Sligo’s first shot on goal in the eight minute before Mark Quigley put the league leaders ahead after 11 minutes. Bohs went close to squaring the match less than three minutes later when Dave Mulcahy let fly.

Danny Ventre forced Bohs’ keeper Craig Sexton into a smart save on 17 minutes as the home side looked sharper up front with Lee Lynch shooting on sight in the 23rd minute.

Sligo stretched their lead two minutes later thanks to Raffaele Cretaro’s rasping 30-yard shot as Ian Baraclough’s side made light of the disappointment of losing midfield dynamo Romauld Boco to Accrington Stanley last weekend.

Bohemians were left with a mountain to climb seven minutes before half-time when a Lee Lynch special rattled the net with the Bohemians’ keeper well beaten.

In addition to Benin international Romauld Boco, Sligo were also without Ross Gaynor and Iarflaith Davoren but this didn’t seem to disrupt their rhythm.

Bohemians were disappointing on the night with the Sligo defenders snuffing out any threatening attacks. Aaron Callaghan’s side showed some improvement in the second half with a good effort by Pender rebounding off a post after 61 minutes before Ward grabbed their late consolation.

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers; Keane (Owens 85 mins), Conneely,Peers, McGuinness, Lynch, Ventre, Ndo (Cawley 70 mins), Cretaro, Quigley, Millien (Buchanan 70 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Sexton; Pender, Lopez, McMillan, Buckley, Byrne (Devaney 69 mins), Mulcahy, O'Connor (Ward 81 mins), Corcoran (Scully 75 mins), Barker, Joyce.

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).