Daryl Horgan fires winner as Dundalk climb off bottom with win over Sligo

Daryl Horgan's first goal of the season proved the difference as Dundalk exacted some revenge on Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park to move off the bottom of the table.

Barring a brief reprieve for four days following their win away to St Patrick’s Athletic at the start of the month, the Co Louth side have been at the foot of the Premier Division table since a 5-0 drubbing by the Bit O Red on March 4th.

Despite this being just their fourth win of the campaign, Dundalk haven’t conceded at home since then with this their eighth consecutive clean sheet at Oriel Park - and a first for home debutant, 19-year-old goalkeeper Sean Molloy.

Scoring goals has been a problem though with Horgan’s strike just the fourth that they have managed at home so far this season.

That proved enough to lift them three points above neighbours Drogheda and to within six points of Sligo, St Pat’s and Bohemians.

Jon Daly’s side were on top throughout and got their just rewards on 54 minutes when Horgan was played through by Ryan O’Kane to slot past Ed McGinty for his 35th goal in Dundalk colours on what was his 175th appearance for the club. It was also a 75th career goal, factoring in his single strike for the Republic of Ireland.

Sligo will be disappointed that they failed to really trouble Molloy as they go into the break on the back of back to back defeats following their 4-1 loss away to Waterford six days earlier.

The hosts started on top and looked like they could hit the front on seven minutes when Robbie Benson twisted and turned in the box but just when it looked like the midfielder was about to apply the finish, former Lilywhite Connor Malley made a brilliant intervention to nick the ball away from him.

Nine minutes later Dundalk looked like they were in