Sligo Rovers condemn Derry City to more pain at the Showgrounds

Derry City failed to make the most of Shamrock Rovers' scoreless draw at the UCD Bowl as they were beaten for the second time this season at the Showgrounds by Sligo Rovers, with the loss coming in controversial circumstances.

Substitute Stefan Radosavljevic netted for the Bit O'Red's in the 84th minute, picking up a vital three points for Rovers in their efforts to stay up. However, there was more than a hint of handball about the winner.

Ruaidhri Higgins' charges finished with 10 men after Ronan Boyce was sent off late on having picked up a second yellow card. The result leaves the Candystripes five points off the top with five games to go.

On their way to back-to-back wins for the first time in over a year and the points that would further pull his side away from relegation worries, Rovers boss John Russell made one change from their first win in seven last week over UCD, Johan Brannefalk coming in for Fabrice Hartmann.

City, hoping to keep pace with leaders Shamrock Rovers, were forced into one change. Shane McEleney, dismissed during their recent draw with the Hoops, was replaced by Ciaran Coll in the heart of defence.

In an opening half which lacked creativity and cutting edge from either camp, it took almost 20 minutes for either goalkeeper to be called into action, although Brian Maher will have faced tougher tests as he easily gathered Rovers skipper David Cawley's effort from distance in the 19th minute.

Derry's recent record by the Garavogue has been patchy at best, with their last win in Sligo coming back in August 2021. The Foylesiders were back at the venue their 2022 title challenge ended with defeat to Sligo.

Their first attempt at goal arrived just short of the half-hour when veteran goalkeeper Richard Brush