An inspired second-half performance saw Sligo recover from a seven-point deficit to score a rare win over Mayo in this pulsating FBD Connacht League tie at Charlestown. It keeps them on course for a place in the final depending on the result of their game against Roscommon next Sunday.

The defeat ends Mayo's interest in the competition on a day when their first-half display eclipsed anything on offer from Sligo. However, the switching of Paul Taylor from full forward to centre forward transformed this game in the second half when the revamped half-forward line of Taylor, Ken Killeen and Sean Davey kicked some impressive points.

But the real turning point came 15 minutes into the second half when Taylor fired home the only goal of the match from the penalty spot after a Mayo defender had handled the ball on the ground.

The penalty left Sligo trailing by just a point and it was a marvellous point from Davey which tied the game in the 50th minute before Edward McDonagh put Mayo back in front, only for Killeen to level matters for the second time with eight minutes remaining.

A remarkable point from all of 60 yards by Taylor put Sligo back in front again and the same player then put them two clear. Mayo just couldn't catch them after that.

Mayo's top gun Maurice Sheridan reeled back a point three minutes from the end but Taylor capped a glorious day for Sligo football with his sixth point in the 60th minute.

Mayo: P Burke; K Mortimer, K Cahill, P Holmes; F Costello, A Roche, N Conneely; P Fallon, C McMenamon; M Sheridan, D McDonagh, J Casey; D Quinn, J Horan, D Nestor. Subs: J Nallen for Nestor, K McIntyre for Quinn.

Sligo: P Walsh; T McGuinn, N Clancy, M Cosgrove; J Joyce, N McGuine, R Keane; P Durcan, E O'Hara; K Killeen, D Sloyane, S Davey; P Bree, P Taylor, J McPartland. Subs: G McGowan for McPartland, R Brennan for Durcan.

Referee: D Joyce (Galway).