Sligo Rovers 2-0 Dundalk FC

Dundalk’s unbeaten run came to an end at the Showgrounds on Saturday night as Sligo Rovers took the points with a 2-0 win.

The Lilywhites arrived in Sligo in good form and looking to build on recent results, but they were met by a Rovers side who started sharply and set a high tempo from the opening stages.

Sligo created the first moments of danger inside the opening minutes, with Harvey Warren forced into an important clearance from a Will Fitzgerald cross before the home side threatened again from the resulting corner.

Dundalk had an early sight of goal of their own when Gbemi Arubi almost caught Sligo out with an effort from distance after winning possession, but it was Rovers who made the breakthrough shortly afterwards.

The opening goal came in the 12th minute. A cross into the Dundalk box led to a scramble, and when the ball broke loose, Fitzgerald reacted quickest to lift it over Enda Minogue and put Sligo in front.

Rovers continued to carry a threat and Archie Meekison went close midway through the first half, sending an effort over from close range. Dundalk, however, worked their way into the game as the half developed and began to enjoy more possession in attacking areas.

Ronan Teahan went close from the edge of the area as Dundalk pushed for a leveller before the interval, but Sligo held their lead going into the break.

The home side doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half. Meekison lifted a clever ball over the Dundalk defence for Cian Kavanagh, who drilled his finish beyond Minogue to make it 2-0.

Dundalk responded well and created a number of good opportunities to get back into the game. On the hour mark, Arubi was denied by an excellent save from Sam Sargeant, who reacted superbly to push his close-range effort onto the crossbar.

Eoin Kenny then came close after a quick Dundalk counterattack, pulling his shot across the face of goal, before substitute Harry Groome forced Sargeant into another strong save with a driven effort from distance.

The Lilywhites kept pressing in the closing stages and threw plenty at the Sligo defence, with Leo Gaxha also seeing an effort blocked on the line in added time.

Despite a positive response and a strong finish, Dundalk were unable to find the goal their second-half pressure deserved, as Sligo held out to claim the win.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Sean McHale; Jeannot Esua (Sean Stewart 33), Will Fitzgerald; Carl McHugh (Jad Hakiki 69), James McManus; Daire Patton (Shane Blaney 80); Archie Meekison; Cian Kavanagh.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Bobby Burns; Ronan Teahan (Leonardo Gaxha 85), Keith Buckley (Shane Tracey 63); Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny, Declan McDaid (Aodh Dervin 63); Gbemi Arubi (Harry Groome 64).

Referee: Declan Toland.

Attendance: 2,691.