Moran's hat-trick boosts Sligo

Padraig Moran was the hero at the Brandywell yesterday when his hat-trick helped haul Sligo Rovers off the bottom of the table.

Moran ran the home defence ragged and he could easily have scored more. Back in action this season after overcoming a career-threatening injury, he stunned the home side after just 50 seconds when striking partner Glen Shannon flicked-on a high ball and Moran made no mistake.

The goal seemed to spark Derry into action and while they began to dominate both Andy Moran and Eamon Doherty went close before they did restore equality in the 29th minute.

Johnny McIvor sent Sean Hargan racing into the penalty area on the left and his low drive across the face of the Sligo goal was prodded home by Paul Curran.

However, one minute into the second half the visitors were back in front and again the Derry defence was at fault. Sligo boss Jum McInally found Shannon on the edge of the area and his first-time touch set Moran up for what was a soft second goal from 12 yards.

Derry failed to recover and the visitors were denied a third goal when Platt spectacularly touched another Moran effort over in the 70th minute.

But the Sligo striker netted his hat-trick four minutes later to hammer the final nail in Derry City's coffin after a fine run by Findlay.

DERRY CITY: Platt; McCallion, Curran, Hutton, Hargan, A Moran, Hegarty, Doherty, McIvor, McCaul, Gilmour. Subs: Gallagher for Gilmour (45 mins), Quigley for McIvor (73 mins).

SLIGO ROVERS: Boswell; Davey, Sheridan, Rossiter, Lynch, Bonnar, McInally, Findlay, O'Grady, Shannon, P Moran. Subs: Marshall for Davey (45 mins), Gilroy for O'Grady (83 mins), McCann for Moran (89 mins).

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Referee Damien Hancock infuriated Longford town's biggest crowd of the season when sending off Robbie Coyle in their 2-2 draw with Bray Wanderers on Saturday. Coyle, who had already been booked, merely collided with Bray's Maurice Farrell. The sending off was one of a number of dubious decisions. Bay's Phil Keogh was penalised and booked after clearly winning the ball in a tackle. The resultant free led to a Keith O'Connor goal. Then Bray were denied a late winner for of-side with apparently two defenders on the line.