Shelbourne continued their climb up the table with a hard-earned win over Sligo at The Showgrounds on Saturday night. While the victory was not quite as convincing as the scoreline suggests, this was nevertheless a solid display by the Dublin club.

Sligo forced the pace early on but enjoyed no luck. Steve Jones had two efforts cleared off the line and Marcus Hallows was just inches wide with a well-struck shot on the turn. Then, after 20 minutes, Shelbourne edged in front against the run of play. Tony McCarthy's long clearance was headed on by Tony Sheridan and Stephen Geoghegan reacted sharply to slide the ball past the advancing Nicky Broujos.

Sligo's sense of adventure was rewarded with a brilliantly worked equaliser in the 55th minute. Wesley Charles delivered a teasing cross to the far post and Hallows out-jumped his marker to score with a powerful downward header.

Shelbourne made a stunning reply, however, with a two-goal burst inside seven minutes. Sheridan restored their lead with a simple tap-in after a sweeping three-man move in the 63rd minute and Pat Fenlon made it 31 seven minutes later following good work by impressive substitute Richie Baker.

Sligo Rovers: Broujos, P Callaghan, Hutchison, Reid, Birks, Charles, Jones, Flannery, Hallows, O'Grady, Rowlands. Subs: Hare for Birks (70 mins), Oates for Rowlands (73 mins), T Callaghan for P Callaghan (88 mins).

Shelbourne: Gough, Costello, McCarthy, Scully, Heery, D Baker, Fitzgerald, Doolin, Fenlon, Sheridan, Geoghegan. Sub: R Baker for Fitzgerald (58 mins).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).