A bizarre own goal by Sligo goalkeeper Matt Boswell set Shelbourne on the way to a crucial victory at the storm-lashed Sligo Showgrounds on Saturday night.
A youthful Sligo side had twice come from behind in a thrilling first half, but disaster struck within three minutes of the re-start when Boswell punched the ball into his own net while attempting to gather a misdirected header from his own defender Wesley Charles.
From there on Shelbourne were in total control and decorated an impressive all-round performance with a fourth goal on the hour.
Richie Baker chased a long clearance from defence and finished with a delightful lob over the advancing Boswell.
Shelbourne's first half hero was John Powell, who marked his first full appearance for the club with two splendidly taken goals.
Powell opened the scoring with a crisp 20-yard drive after 12 minutes, but battling Sligo were on level terms by the 25th minute when Glen Shannon forced the ball into a crowded goalmouth following good work by Johnny Davey, one of five local teenagers in the Sligo side.
Shelbourne jumped back in front within a minute when Powell outpaced Charles and directed a well-struck shot low to the net.
Sligo finished the half strongly and their efforts were rewarded when Padraic Moran equalised from the penalty spot four minutes before the break.
The scene was set for a pulsating second half, but Shelbourne's physical strength and experience proved decisive.
SLIGO ROVERS: Boswell, Rossiter, Davey, McInally, Lynch, Charles, Marshall, Gilroy, Shannon, O'Grady, Moran. Subs: Birks for McInally (half-time), Conlon for Rossiter (53 mins), Oates for Gilroy (65 mins).
SHELBOURNE: Williams, Heary, D Geoghegan, McCarthy, Campbell, SCully, D Baker, R Baker, Fenlon, Ogden, Powell. Subs: Doolin for Campbell (70 mins), O'Brien for Powell (85 mins).
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)