Billy Dennehy fired Shamrock Rovers seven points clear on top of the Airtricity League table with a 68th minute thunderbolt.

The Kerryman’s goal edged the Hoops one step closer to a first league title since 1994 as Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic drew elsewhere.

And it was the kind of performance that had the hallmarks of the league leaders who took everything Sligo could throw at them and struck for the winner.

The visitors were excellent throughout and were unlucky to come out on the wrong end of the result, with the departure of Padraig Amond to Portugal blunting their edge.

Gary Twigg went close early on for the hosts, but it was Sligo who were showing the attacking initiative and Eoin Doyle should have given them the lead when put through by Gary McCabe, but he scuffed his shot and Alan Mannus saved.

Despite their dominance, Sligo had to be wary of the home side’s threat and Ciaran Kelly saved from Twigg at point blank range, before Jim Lauchlan cleared Neale Fenn’s follow up effort off the line.

Mannus then found a McCabe free too hot to handle, but Craig Sives did well to scramble the ball to safety as the half ended scoreless.

Dennehy went close just after the break, but Sligo almost made the breakthrough as quick thinking from the impressive Joseph Ndo played McCabe in behind, but the winger’s effort flew over the bar.

And the westerners’ profligacy was punished soon after as Dennehy struck.

Jim Lauchlan needlessly conceded a free at the edge of the box and Dennehy gave Kelly no chance with a stunning effort.

Sligo pushed for an instant equaliser and Doyle again went close after Ndo had played him in. Mannus saved, and Doyle recovered to find McCabe but his effort was blocked.

As Sligo poured forward, they looked vulnerable on the counter and Sean O’Connor had a deflected shot fly just wide.

Sives turned Dennehy’s corner back on to Twigg’s head, but the Scottish striker couldn’t direct the ball on target.

But it wasn’t to matter, as the Hoops held on to the delight of the 4,000 strong crowd as they maintained their impressive run.

SHAMROCK ROVERS – Mannus; Murphy, Sives, Murray, Stevens; Chambers, Turner, Bayly (O’Connor 43), Dennehy; Fenn (Stewart 72), Twigg.

SLIGO ROVERS – Kelly; Keane, Peers, Lauchlan, Davoren; McCabe (Dillon 83), Ventre, Ndo, Russell, Doyle (McGoldrick 83); Blinkhorn.

REFEREE – A Kelly (Cork).