Sligo R 1 Bohemians 2:AIDEN DOWNES put a major dent in Sligo Rovers' league title ambitions with a dramatic match winning goal seven minutes from time at the Showgrounds on Saturday night .

Downes raced up along the right wing before drilling his shot across the face of goal with the ball creeping into Brendan Clarke’s net at the back post.

Pat Fenlon’s side thought they might be awarded a penalty when Downes hit the deck after 66 minutes but the home side survived.

But the penalty kick that changed the course of the game did arrive eight minutes later amids much controversy.

The Sligo keeper gathered the ball cleanly in a crowded goal mouth, but Cork referee Alan Kelly judged what he described as “intentional holding” in the box by a Sligo player before pointing to the spot. Killian Brennan beat Clarke with a well-struck kick that levelled matters cancelling out Gavin Peers 11th minute strike from Joseph Ndos well directed corner kick that gave Paul Cooke’s side the perfect start.

The defeat brought Sligo’s four month unbeaten home run in the league to an end and gave Bohemians the distinction of being the first league side to win at the Showgrounds since April when Pat Fenlon’s side also came from a goal down to win 2-1.

Bohemians controlled the play in the second half with swift skilful moves and solid defending with Liam Burns catching the eye. They piled on the pressure in the closing stages with the woodwork denying Brennan on 80 minutes.

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke, Davoren (Greene 67 mins), Peers, McGuinness, Powell, Ryan, Russell, Cretaro (Blinkhorn 54 mins), Doyle, Kirby (Dillon 75 mins), Ndo.

BOHEMIANS: Murphy, Heary, Cahill, O’Brien, Burns, Price, Buckley (Flood 86 mins), Brennan, Cronin, Downes, Forrester (Rossiter 62 mins).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)