Sligo Rovers 3
Bohemians 2
Sligo Rovers survived a late scare from Bohemians to seal victory at the Showgrounds.
The home side took the lead in the first-half through the influential David Cawley, before Bohs made it 1-1 in the second-half.
Eamon Zayed and Danny North struck to make it 3-1. A 90th minute goal from Dinny Corcoran proved too little, too little for the visitors, though.
Bohemians took hold of possession in the early stages, and midfielder Patrick Kavanagh forced Richard Brush into action when he saved the former Derry man’s curling effort from the right.
The home side should have taken the lead after ten minutes when Eamon Zayed dispossessed Aidan Price before playing back for John Russell. The Galway man crossed for Cretaro, who was left kicking himself when he managed to scuff the shot, sending it wide.
Owen Heary’s side had their best opportunity just after the half hour mark. Kavanagh’s corner flew over the Rovers defence and beat Brush, falling perfectly into the path of Stephen Beattie but a last ditch tackle from former Bohemians player Evan McMillan prevented the gypsies from taking the lead.
The deadlock was broken on the 39th minute by John Coleman’s men. Youngster Gary Boylan instigated the move, when he flew down the right wing before playing it short to Russell. The 29-year-old set-up Cawley who hit it first time into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
It was the Mayo man who once again looked to have the ball in the back of the net just after the re-start. The 23-year-old took one touch before unleashing a pile-driver which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced back out.
The score was level once again on the 54th minute. Keith Buckley chipped the ball to Jake Hyland whose tame header beat Brush at the near post.
It wasn’t long before Bohemians found themselves trailing once again, though. Cawley’s corner was headed on by captain Gavin Peers, and striker Eamon Zayed was on hand to head it past Delany.
The score could have been level once again in the dying minutes. Karl Moore’s free-kick was blocked by the Rovers wall, and eventually came to substitute Dinny Corcoran. His excellent shot looked to be heading past Brush, but he managed to push it over with his fingertips.
But, unfortunately for the visitors, they found themselves further behind in the 87th minute. The busy Cawley had a decent attempt pushed out by Delany, but striker North pounced on the loose ball to beat Delany.
Not ones to give up easily, the Dubliners made it 3-2 with seconds left on the clock. Sligo native Kevin Devaney sent in the cross for Corcoran, who beat Brush to make the Bit o’Red sweat for the remaining few minutes.
The result leaves Rovers in fifth place, eight points behind Shamrock Rovers in fourth. Bohs, on the other hand, remain in ninth place.
SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Boylan, Peers (Armstrong, 93), McMillan, Donelon, Cretaro (Spillane, 79), Conneely, Cawley, Russell, North, Zayed.
Subs: Taheny, Flatley, McManus.
BOHEMIANS: Delany, Pender, Lopes, Price, Memery, Kavanagh, Hyland (Devaney, 80), Walsh, Buckley (Corcoran, 80), Evans (Moore, 69), Beattie.
Subs: Shanahan, McEvoy.
Referee: Padraig Sutton