Drogheda United's tale of woe continued last night when they slumped to their sixth successive defeat in the Premier Division of the National League. But resurgent Sligo thoroughly deserved a victory which was achieved without too much effort and with some style. It was the home side who struck first with Noel Reid breaking down the right after three minutes before cutting inside to score low into the far corner from 18 yards.

And it should have been 2-nil after 23 minutes when David Fairclough delivered a cross from the right which somehow evaded not only Sligo's Mark Westhead and Nicky Reid, but also home striker David Nugent.

But Sligo were on level terms nine minutes later when Falcon Rose punished an Eddie Van Boxtel error to stab the ball home from four yards.

And the South African striker put the visitors ahead four minutes later steering home a centre from the excellent Steve Jones at the near post. United's cause wasn't helped when they lost both captain John Carroll and Martin Beggs before the break. But it was no surprise when Rovers went further ahead on the hour with Lee Thew showing excellent control from a Padraig Moran cross to shoot easily past Van Boxtel.

Jones capped a fine display to grab the fourth thanks to a wayward defensive header shortly afterwards. But United had the last word when Nugent slid the ball under Westhead 13 minutes from time for a late consolation score.

Drogheda: Van Boxtel, Hill, Coady, J. Reid, Carroll, Browne, Fairclough, Fox, N. Reid, Nugent, Beggs. Substitutes: Irwin for Carroll and Flanagan for Beggs.

Sligo: Westhead, Cobbeson, Hutchinson, Reid, Shearer, Ogden, Jones, Moran, Thew, Rose, Lynch. Substitute: Berks for Moran. Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).