Title-chasing Shels slip up in Sligo

Shelbourne spurned an opportunity to take a giant step towards their first league title since 2006, as they were beaten by Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.

A win for Damien Duff's side would have sent the Tolka outfit five points clear with a game extra to play.

But the Bit O'Red had different plans as goals from Will Fitzgerald and Wilson Waweru either side of an Evan Caffrey strike gave Rovers their 11th league win of the season, sending them level on points with third-placed Waterford.

Looking for their fifth home win on the spin, Rovers were forced into one change with Jack Henry-Francis handed his first start since his summer move on loan from Arsenal. The Londoner replacing Conor Malley who picked up a knock late on in the defeat to St Pat's last Sunday.

The hosts were also without manager John Russell who watched the game from a small press box in the Treacy Avenue stand.

The Galway man was serving the first of his three-match ban following a red card handed to him by referee Rob Hennessy in injury time in that game against the Saints, after Russell reacted to Hennessy's decision to award that dubious spot kick to Pat's which led to the winner.

The visitors began life without top-scorer Will Jarvis who returned to parent club Hull City this week, following a shock recall to the Tigers.

Duff made three changes to his outfit which played out that less than inspiring scoreless draw with Derry City on Monday last. Jarvis, Shane Griffin and John Martin stepping out in place of Caffrey, Ali Coote and Paddy Barrett.

The league leaders started this one on the front foot with an early Harry Wood set piece deflected wide by the Rovers wall, while Caffrey hacked at an effort from the edge of the area six minutes in.

Shels' goalkeeper