SLIGO ROVERS manager, Steve Cotterill, watched his side extend their unbeaten run to five matches and then handed in his resignation. The shock development came just minutes after Sligo had beaten Bray Wanderers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Cotterill told his players that the time was right for him to quit the club. He said he would not have walked away had the team lost their first five matches but felt it was right to leave at this time having guided them to a challenging position.

It is believed that the fact that his family still reside in England was a major factor in his decision to return home, after serving just 14 months of his two-year contract.

Ironically, Cotterill's resignation came just as Sligo were enjoying their best start to the league in over 20 years. They got off to the best possible start on Saturday when in-form striker, Padraig Moran gave them the lead after just eight minutes following a precise pass by Johnny Kenny.

Battling Bray were determined to make a game of it, however and they got on level terms after 30 minutes when Richie Parsons set up Robbie Coyle for a well taken equaliser.

Bray stunned Sligo by edging in front six minutes later with Kieran O'Brien applying the finishing touch to Pat O'Brien's low cross. But Sligo played with renewed vigour after the break and were rewarded with the equaliser when Moran grabbed his second goal in the 64th minute.

From there to the finish Sligo applied sustained pressure and they finally made the breakthrough four minutes from time. Mark Hutchinson's inswinging corner kick caused confusion in the Bray goalmouth and the alert Ian Gilzean pounced to score from close range.