Saints punish Sligo mistakes to close gap at the top to a point

Sligo 0-2 St Patrick's Athletic

Sligo Rovers began life without top scorer Max Mata with defeat, as St Patrick's Athletic moved to within one point of the Premier Division summit with their first win over the Bit O’Red in four attempts.

Chris Forrester slotted home an early penalty before Sam Curtis doubled the Saints’ lead on 32 minutes as Pat’s kept the pressure on league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

David Cawley’s injury-time penalty miss added insult to injury for Sligo.

Making three changes from their draw in Drogheda a week ago, Rovers boss John Russell gave a first start to recent signing Pedro Martelo, while there was a also a first start in almost one year for Garry Buckley, following his long-term ACL injury. Frank Liivak was Sligo’s other change.

Pat’s were knocked back this week by the announcement of Eoin Doyle's mid-year retirement but there was some good news for the Dubliners, who welcomed back Joe Redmond for his first start since April following a lengthy lay-off. Jake Mulraney and Anto Breslin were back in the first eleven having missed the FAI Cup tie with Longford.

Sligo did have spells of play in the final third and chances in the opening period through Martelo and Stefan Radosavljevic. But it was Pat’s who were far more clinical when the opportunities arose and the Inchicore men were gifted their opener.

Buckley chopped down Mark Doyle inside the Rovers area after a Mulraney breakaway and Forrester’s calm finish from the spot sending Luke McNicholas the wrong way.

Chris Forrester gives St Pat's the lead from the spot against Sligo after Mark Doyle is brought down in the box.