Sligo edged a step closer to first-division football when they overpowered Longford at Pearse Park. They know that a victory against Tipperary in two weeks' time will guarantee them promotion.

It was Longford who started in lively fashion, but only a Pauric Davis free separated the teams after eight minutes and when Sligo got their act together, it was one-way traffic. Dessie Sloyane notched a goal in the 29th minute, helping his side to lead by 1-8 to 0-3 at the break.

Sloyane's second goal just three minutes after the interval ended the game as a contest. And when Paul Taylor pointed his first free in the 45th minute, Sligo were 210 to 0-5 in front.

Longford had Aidan Keogh sent off in the 42nd minute following his second bookable offence. However, they did out-score Sligo in the final quarter but seven pointed frees from Davis only helped to put some respectability on the scoreboard.

LONGFORD: G Tonra; R Forbes, D Ledwith, B Burke; E Ledwith, F McNamee, Martin Mulleady; D Hannify , A Keogh; T Drake, C Keogh, Michael Mulleady; P Barden (0-1), N Sheridan (0-1), P Davis (0-7, frees). Subs: C Hannify for Michael Mulleady (21 mins), C Conefrey for D Ledwith (48 mins).

SLIGO: P Walsh; J Joyce, N McGuire, M Cosgrove; R Keane, B Kilcoyne, T McGuinn; P Durcan (0-1), E O'Hara (0-1); B Walsh, D Sloyane (2-2, 0-2 frees), S Davey (0-1); J McPartland (0-1), P Taylor (0-5 frees), G McGowan (0-1).

Referee: M Hughes (Tyrone).