John Robertson enjoyed a winning start to his career at the Brandywell this evening as Derry City recorded an emphatic 4-1 win over Sligo Rovers.

The Scot, installed as new manager earlier in the week, saw Mark Farren net twice with Gareth McGlynn and Ciaran Martyn also on target as the Candystripes ended a losing streak.

Meanwhile, league pacesetters St Patrick's Athletic suffered a rare defeat at the hands of struggling Waterford United, the Dubliners going down 2-1. Drogheda go top thanks to an injury-time 1-0 at UCD, Aidan O'Keefe with the 92nd minute decider, while Shamrock Rovers inflicted a 3-0 reverse on rock-bottom Longford Town.