Sligo Rovers 2 - 0 Shelbourne

Sligo Rovers have moved up to second in the table following a 2-0 win over Shelbourne at The Showgrounds on Friday evening.

Danny Ventre and Iarfhlaith Davoren struck in the first-half to seal a vital three points for The Bit O’Red.

Rovers deservedly broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when Ventre latched onto an in-swinging Kieran Djilali free-kick from the right with a diving header.

Danny North came agonisingly close to doubling the home side’s lead just minutes later when a terrific effort from the edge of the box curled inches wide of the target.

Shels threatened the Rovers rearguard on a number of occasions following the opener, but they would eventually find themselves further behind as the game approached half-time when an Iarfhlaith Davoren strike from distance found the bottom right corner of Lee Murphy’s goal, with a hint of a deflection on the way through.

Rovers went in search of a third goal in the dying seconds of the half, and almost found the back of the net again when Alan Keane’s ball fell to Lee Lynch who struck it first time, shooting narrowly wide.

The Bit O’Red began the second half as they ended the first with complete control in the Shelbourne half. Alan Keane had the first real chance of the half when he ran on to a loose ball and burst forward from the halfway line, but his final effort lacked the required power to trouble Murphy.

Gary Rogers was forced into his first save of the evening after 68 minutes when Lee Murtagh’s angled shot parried away for a corner.

The champions’ defence minded players fancied their chances on front of goal on the night, Gavin Peers was next up, first turning in the box and striking the post which was quickly followed by another strike over the bar.

Shels pushed for a consolation goal deep into injury-time, Derek Doyle having the best of a late flurry of chances as his header was tipped over by Rogers.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers (Evan McMillan 78), Jeff Henderson, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Danny Ventre, David Cawley (David McMillan 70), Lee Lynch, Raffaele Cretaro, Kieran Djilali (Seamus Conneely 88); Danny North.
Subs not used: Matt Gledhill, Aaron Greene, Pascal Millien, Anthony Elding.

Booked: None.

Shelbourne: Lee Murphy; Pat Flynn, Adam O’Connor, Paul Andrews, Derek Doyle; Brian Gannon, Stephen Hurley, Sean Brennan (Carl Walshe 79), Robert Cornwall (Dylan Connelly 67), Jamie McGlynn; Lee Murtagh (Darren Tinnelly 84).
Subs not used: Niall Burdon, Ian Ryan, Stephen Sheerin, Graham Gartland.

Booked: O'Connor (27).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Attendance: 1,764.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Danny Ventre (Sligo Rovers).