Back-to-back wins for Sligo as they hold off Drogheda

Sligo Rovers put clear daylight between themselves and the relegation spots as they held on in a scrappy encounter to see off Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.

A Matthew O’Brien own goal was followed up by a Connor Malley strike as Rovers led at the break. Former Sligo player Jack Keaney ensured a nervous second half for the Bit O’Red when he pulled one back for United within the opening minute of the second period.

Sligo, who announced the signing of former Derry and Bohs winger Stephen Mallon at half time, held on to record their second win in four days.

The hosts were the form side coming into this one with just one defeat in their last five games, which included a draw away to title-chasing Derry City and a defeat of league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park last Friday.

Visitors Drogheda had managed to pick up just the one win in their last five matches and were without skipper Gary Deegan and influential playmaker Darragh Markey.

Kevin Doherty’s charges found themselves two behind at the break despite passing up a handful of great chances to score in the opening 45.

Deputy captain Ryan Brennan got his co-ordinates all wrong eight minutes in when he headed wide with his back to goal from just a few yards out and Sligo made the visitors pay on 18 minutes when they went ahead.

Stefan Radosavljevic’s rocketing set piece was pushed onto the crossbar by an unfortunate Andy Wogan in the United goal. The ball bounced off the back of the Drogheda goalkeeper before landing at the feet of Malley whose shot from the angle cannoned off O’Brien before hitting the net.

Evan Weir probably should have levelled proceedings as the Louth side passed up another goal-scoring chance on 24 minutes – the full-back latching on to Frantz Pierrot’s ball over the top but he could only manage to finish into the side-netting.

Malley saw his shot palmed away by Wogan just short of the half hour while yet again Drogheda missed the target from close range when Steve Bawa, on the stretch, side-footed Conor Kane’s in-swinging cross over the Sligo goal from close range.

John Russell’s side once more showed their rivals how it’s done. With two minutes of the half to go, the Drogs defence failed to deal with Kailin Barlow’s set piece from the left allowing Malley to volley home from inside the six-yard box.

Whatever was said in the away dressing room during the half-time break did the trick instantly, as Keaney halved the deficit with less than 40 seconds of the second half played. The former Sligo man crashing home Pierrot’s lay-on from a Weir free-kick.

Bawa dragged an effort across the face of Ed McGinty’s goal just a short few minutes later as a worried Rovers soaked up Drogheda pressure. JR Wilson almost relieved that stress on 57 minutes, but his audacious effort from inside his own half landed on the roof of the net after Wogan was sighted well off his line.

Rovers were next to turn down a great chance. Fabrice Hartmann was tracked down by a Drogheda defender after he looked like he might meet Wogan one-on-one. The German passed up the opportunity only for the ball to return to him unmarked, ten yards from goal. The RB Leipzig loanee however, wastefully blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

Drogheda substitute Warren Davis had two late chances as they scrapped in vain for an equaliser. His first effort was easily swallowed up by McGinty 11 minutes from time while his second attempt lacked the power as he looked to place his shot towards the top corner.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley, Ellis Chapman; Fabrice Hartmann (Owen Elding 81), Stefan Radosavljevic (Wilson Waweru 56); Kailin Barlow (Will Fitzgerald 66).

Drogheda United: Andy Wogan; Luke Heeney (Killian Cailloce 86), Andy Quinn, Jack Keaney, Conor Kane (Warren Davis 60); Steve Bawa, Matthew O’Brien, Oisin Gallagher, Evan Weir; Ryan Brennan; Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 66).

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.