Sligo stay clear with straight forward win over Dundalk

Sligo Rovers 3 Dundalk 0SLIGO ROVERS are still six points clear at the top of the Airtricity league after a three goal win at the Showgrounds last night.

Mark Quigley put the home side ahead in the tenth minute and Gavin Peers doubled their advantage from a Ross Gaynor cross four minutes into the second half.Substitute Liam Buchanan completed the scoring, heading a Joseph Ndo corner past Peter Cherrie four minutes from time.

Dundalk came closest to scoring when Stephen McDonnell struck a post in the 64th minute.

The league leaders began well and only some solid defending by Dundalk cut out the danger as Mark Quigley teed up a shot in front of goal just four minutes into the game.

The visitors’ goal had a let off in the ninth minute when Raffaele Cretaro just couldn’t get on the end of a cross shot by Quigley. But just a minute later the Reds went in front when Quigley sent a sizzling low shot to the Dundalk net following a quick break out of defence.

A Mark Griffin cross caused panic in the home defence on 15 minutes as Paul Whelan controlled the ball in front of goal before Jason McGuinness had a headed effort cleared following a Ross Gaynor corner in the 19th minute as Sligo exerted pressure on the visitors defence.

Dundalk lifted the siege somewhat as Mark Griffins’ free kick from just outside the box after 31 minutes forced Sligo keeper Gary Rogers into a smart save.

The league leaders were dealt a double blow inside a five minute period in the first half when Alan Keane and striker Mark Quigley went off injured before substitute Pascal Millien was denied by a Paul Whelan interception five minutes before half time.

but the home side responded well taking the game to the visitors for the remainder of the half before Sligo finished the game off in the second half.

SLIGO ROVERS:Rogers; Keane, McGuinness,Peers, Ventre, Quigley,Cretaro, Gaynor, Ndo,Lynch, Conneely. Subs: Millien for Keane (25 mins), Buchanan for Quigley (29 mins), Cawley for Ventre (83 mins).

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Foran, Whelan, Burns, Shields, Rafter, Griffin, McDonnell, Maher, Shanahan, Murphy. Subs: Walsh for Burns (52 mins), Reilly for Shanahan (72 mins)

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).