Derry fail to stretch lead as Sligo secure first win in four

Derry City failed to open a gap between themselves and Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Premier Division after they were beaten for the first time away from home, by 10-man Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

Will Fitzgerald scored the only goal of this game five minutes in as the Bit O'Red picked up their first win in four, following a game which saw Rovers finish without defender John Mahon who was sent off in the second half.

The result sees Rovers go back above Drogheda into seventh, while the Candystripes remain just one point clear of the Hoops at the summit.

Lacking a spark in recent weeks and without a win since 22 April against basement side UCD, Rovers boss John Russell was relieved to be able to include the division’s top scorer Max Mata in his starting team for the first time in three games.

The New Zealander’s recent absence hard felt, as Sligo failed to find the net in as many games.

While midfielder David Cawley was Rovers’ second change from their defeat to Cork at Turner’s Cross eight nights previous, the Ballina native’s first start of the season.

Undefeated on the road this term and with just one loss in their last five, City boss Ruaidhri Higgins made no less than five changes from the Foylesiders’ dominant win over UCD last week.

Sadou Diallo, Shane McEleney, Ryan Graydon, Oliver John O’Neill and Adam O’Reilly all returning.

While the large cohort of travelling Derry supporters can only have been buoyed by the inclusion in the match squad of both Mark Connolly and Patrick McEleney after lengthy spells on the physio table.

In search of his 50th win as Derry boss on the ground he claimed his first, back in April 2021, City boss Higgins saw his in-form side fall behind early on during a frustrating opening half