Second half goals from Gavin Peers and Matthew Blinkhorn deservedly saw Sligo Rovers preserve their Premier Division status at The Showgrounds on Friday night.

 

The pair struck in the final half-hour after Drogheda substitute Ross Gaynor had threatened to spoil the party with a stunning free-kick.

 

Rovers had the best possible start, with Eoin Doyle hitting the net after just over 90 seconds of play.

 

It came after good work from Romuald Boco and Danny Ventre down the right, with Ventre's pass releasing Brian Cash, whose deep cross was tapped home by Doyle.

 

Drogheda introduced Ross Gaynor at the break, and he made his presence felt on the hour-mark, when he brilliantly curled a free-kick from outside the area past Ciaran Kelly and into the Rovers net.

 

But Rovers' response was clinical, with Peers, who had given away the free at the other end, heading home Joe Kendrick's shortly-worked corner at the far post.

 

Doyle, substitute Owen Morrison and Blinkhorn all went close in the next ten minutes, while Kelly was forced to make a good save to deny Robbie Farrell.

 

But Blinkhorn made sure of the points with ten minutes left, as he looped Morrison's cross over Williams and inside the post.

 

The win also sets Rovers up nicely for their cup final against Sporting Fingal in a fortnight.

 

Sligo Rovers: Kelly, Boco, Peers, Keane, Kendrick, Cash (Morrison 65), O'Grady (Ryan 81), Ventre, Doyle, Blinkhorn, Cretaro (Marshall 85).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Turner, Schlingermann.

 

Drogheda United: Williams, Gibb, McAnally, Ryan, Clarke, King, Shields, Crowley (McNamara 76), McGill (Gaynor HT), Martin (Farrell 69), Bates.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Kierans, Skinner.

 

Referee: Dave McKeon.