Sligo Rovers weather Shelbourne storm to stun the leaders

High-flying Shelbourne fell to their first defeat in nine games as Sligo Rovers pulled off one of the surprises of the season as they earned a huge and hard-fought three points at Tolka Park.

As expected, Damien Duff's side made a dominant start and - in front of a crowd that included current and former Ireland senior internationals Shane Duffy, Seamus Coleman Robbie Brady, Matt Doherty, Glenn Whelan - really should have been ahead, only for one of the league's top stoppers Ed McGinty to deny them repeatedly.

Firstly, he got down sharply to turn Will Jarvis’ header past the near post, and minutes later the league's top netminder - with 65 saves prior to kick off - stood tall to save from Sean Boyd, who had found himself clear in on goal.

But the depleted visitors, buoyed by a confidence boosting draw away at Derry City in their last outing, punished the hosts sloppy finishing and took the lead much against the run of play when Kailin Barlow picked up a long ball and beat a couple of Reds defenders before flashing his shot across goal into the bottom corner.