Two first-half goals from Padraig Amond set the Hoops up to take all three points at the Sligo Showgrounds tonight. The earlier swirling winds gave way for a dry calm and bright night but there was a tentative start to the game from both sides.
Sligo 'keeper Brush pushed away Robinson's cross-shot in the 5th min while at the other end a Sligo inswinging free-kick went too close to Barry Murphy's left-hand post for comfort.
The game came to life in the 25th minute when Amond and Robinson combined for the Hoops captain to cross deep for Bradley whose first time cross found Amond and he drilled his low shot past Brush from close range. The Carlow man almost had his second just two mins. later when hesitancy in the Sligo defence allowed him to lob Brush from just outside the box but the ball fell the wrong side of the post.
However within the half-hour Amond had grabbed his second. Robinson fed Cahill and his low ball was expertly flicked on by Twigg to give Amond some space and he fired a fine low shot past Brush and into the corner of the net.
The Hoops were well on top now and controlled the remainder of the half. Maguire got his head to a couple of corners but Brush was on hand to save. Right on the whistle Pat Flynn found Amond with a quickly taken free-kick but he had to stretch to make contact and the ball went over the bar.
Sligo upped the tempo of the game in the second-half with Cretaro and Boco more prominent in attack but the Hoops defence held firm. A good run by Robinson on 60 mins found Amond but Brush saved his shot. A minute later Boco took a pass from Cretaro but fired his shot over. Twigg had a shot blocked on 64 mins and Rice followed up but shot wide.
Cretaro had a header at the back post easily saved by Murphy and at the other end Twigg met Bradley's free-kick but Brush saved his header. Rovers increased their lead on 70 mins. when Robinson was bundled over by O'Grady in the box and he sent Brush the wrong to score from the penalty spot.
Sligo almost snatched a goal back straight away but Boco fired his shot into the side-netting. Brush saved well from Twigg after Amond set him up after 74 mins. Substitute Purcell then went close from Robinsons cross before the home side were reduced to 10 men following O'Gradys retaliation to Flynns tackle.
Sligo were awarded a penalty when Rice was adjudged to have pushed Keane in the box but Barry Murphy made a brilliant save to deny Parkhouse a consolation goal.
Purcell and Rice had late chances to increase the lead in the dying minutes as Rovers wrapped up a fine performance to take the three points.
