Sligo Rovers bounce back with impressive Waterford win

Sligo Rovers recovered from that seven-goal hammering at Drogheda United in perfect fashion as they saw off Waterford at the Showgrounds.

A goal in either half from Wilson Waweru and Simon Power saw the Bit O'Red pick up their first win in three and propelled Rovers into third, behind title chasers Derry City and Shelbourne.

With just goal difference separating them and three points meaning the victor would elevate themselves to that European spot, both camps were aware of the value of a win.

The hosts made one change from a chastening trashing in Louth eight nights previous, with 19-year-old Buncrana native Gareth McElroy handed his senior debut in the heart of the Sligo defence, in place of Charlie Wiggett.

With four defeats in their previous five league outings and without manager Keith Long courtesy of suspension, the visitors made one switch from defeat to Derry last week. Connor Parsons replaced Grant Horton as the RSC side chased a much needed result on the road.

The travelling Blues should have been ahead after just 90 seconds.

Rovers allowed former striker Padraig Amond through on goal. The Carlow man's initial effort was repelled by Ed McGinty into the path of Christie Pattison who failed to make contact with the ball from four yards out.

Sligo certainly didn't look like a side coming off the back of a seven-goal trouncing as they came up with some of their best football of the year.

Key to this was winger Power who twice went close with efforts from out wide, while Ellis Chapman was able to lift the ball over Waterford goalkeeper Louis Jones on 12 minutes. Chapman was left despondent however as his effort dropped wide of the goal.

Both sides had chances in quick succession close to the quarter hour. Power again went