Sligo 2 Finn Harps 0:SLIGO ROVERS boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season's Setanta Cup after victory in the northwest derby at Finn Park last night.
Harps will drop back into the bottom three if Cobh beat UCD tonight. With two out of their last three games away from home, the Donegal club are in a battle to preserve their Premier Division status.
Rovers struck on 18 minutes when Seán Doherty fed the ball into Romauld Boco - back from international duty with Benin - and he fired between goalkeeper James Gallagher and the post with question marks being asked about the Harps defence.
The visitors deservedly doubled their tally on 36 minutes in a bizarre fashion. Doherty whipped in a effort from the right which Gallagher stopped behind the goalline. After a pause, referee Hugo Whoriskey awarded the goal.
Harps were fortunate not to concede a third before the break when Moro Almedia had a shot blocked by Stephen Parkhouse.
Harps brought on Conor Gethins on 56 minutes but they rarely looked like getting back into the game.
FINN HARPS:Gallagher, Labonte, Holmes, Boyle, Malcolm, McCafferty, Funston, McGowan, Beckett, Parkhouse, Breen.
Subs: Gethins for Beckett (56 mins), Friel for Boyle (73 mins).
SLIGO ROVERS:Brush, Coleman, Ventre, Peers, Almedia, O'Grady, Cash, Ryan, Boko, Cretaro, Doherty. Subs: McDaid for O'Grady (69 mins), McTiernan for Cash (80 mins), Feeney for Cretaro (90 mins).
Referee:H Whoriskey (Dublin).
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