Sligo deliver latest blow to Shamrock Rovers' title bid

Sligo Rovers delivered the latest blow to Shamrock Rovers' hopes of a fifth title in a row as former Hoops winger Simon Power struck twice in the space of 10 minutes to see off his old side.

Sprung from the bench, Power marked his return from injury with a glorious second half double to sentence the Dubliners to their second defeat on the bounce. While for Sligo, this was their first win in three.

Seeking to close the 10-point gap between themselves and the leading pair of Shels and Derry, Hoops boss Stephen Bradley made four changes from their defeat to St Pat's. Leoh Pohls returned between the posts, while Gary O'Neill, Richie Towell and Conan Noonan all started having missed the defeat to St Pat's before the summer break.

Sligo boss John Russell was boosted by the return of authoritative centre half Nando Pijnaker and skilful winger Power to the match day squad.

Pijnaker started having missed the last 13 games due to a rib injury, while Power made the bench against his old employers following his return from a groin issue. Pijnaker was one of two changes with Wilson Waweru the second swap, replacing Kailin Barlow who started the defeat to Dundalk at Oriel Park two weeks ago.

A riveting first half produced a catalogue of chances at either end.

Both Towell and Graham Burke went close in the opening 10 minutes as the visitors impressed early on. Towell's full-volley fizzed past Ed McGinty's post as the Sligo defence stood still in expectation of an offside flag, while Burke dragged an effort across goal after Pijanker's last ditch block on Johnny Kenny deflected the ball towards Burke.

Sligo winger Fabrice Hartmann is due to return to parent club RB Leipzig next week and on his final appearance for the club, he forced Hoops net