Two players were sent off as Sligo Rovers secured a priceless victory over north west rivals Derry City at the Showgrounds yesterday.
The dismissals came in separate incidents during an explosive two-minute spell in the second half. Derry central defender Paddy McLaughlin was first to go for a second bookable offence after 74 minutes and he was followed shortly afterwards by Sligo striker Sean Flannery who was shown the red card after a challenge on Derry goalkeeper Ciaran Wilkinson.
Derry, without eight regulars, had a number of narrow escapes before Sligo finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. A header from Wesley Charles was cleared off the line by Eddie McCallion, but the alert Flannery headed home the rebound.
Sligo stretched their lead after 29 minutes with a spectacular goal. Ian Rossiter's cross to the far post was met on the run by Paul Bonnar who gave Wilkinson no chance with a blistering volley to the roof of the net.
Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Rossiter, Lynch, Birks, Sheridan, Charles, Gray, Bonnar, Flannery, O'Grady, Moran. Subs: Khalifi for O'Grady (83 mins), Shannon for Gray (85 mins).
Derry City: Wilkinson, Pat McLoughlin, McCallion, Hutton, Paddy McLoughlin, McCreedy, Moran, Hegarty, Coyle, McCaul, McHugh.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
