Shamrock Rovers took over top spot in the Premier Division after a 2-1 defeat of Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Saturday night.

 

The Hoops had to come from behind after Raffaele Cretaro deservedly put the hosts ahead with a cool 32nd minute finish.

 

But Gary Twigg claimed his 22nd league goal of the season from the penalty spot to pull the visitors level. And the Hoops claimed a valuable three points when the unfortunate Gavin Peers headed past his own keeper with 20 minutes left.

 

The visitors knew that only a win would see them leapfrog newly-crowned league cup champions Bohemians at the top of the table, but they started tentatively.

 

The home side, coming off a seven-game unbeaten run, dominated the opening half-hour and deservedly went ahead on 32 minutes.

 

It came when a headed clearance from Peers reached Cretaro in space at the edge of the area, and the striker broke into the area and composed himself before firing to the net.

 

It was a case of third time lucky for the lively Cretaro, who had twice been denied by goalkeeper Alan Mannus prior to this.

 

The first chance came on 16 minutes, when the striker charged down a Aidan Price clearance and broke clear but his shot was easily gathered by Mannus.

 

The second came just before the goal, when referee Dave McKeon wisely played advantage after Matthew Blinkhorn was fouled, and Cretaro curled a shot from outside the area that Mannus dealt with confidently.

 

Michael O'Neill made a double switch at the break to try and breath some life into his side, with Shane Robinson and Graham Barrett introduced.

 

And it had the desired effect, with Barrett going down under Alan Keane's challenge in the area, and Twigg smashing home the penalty.

 

Twigg went close to doubling his contribution on 58 minutes, when his looping header from Stephen Bradley's cross required a back-pedaling palm over the bar from Brush.

 

But Brush could do little to prevent the Hoops taking the lead, when Stephen Bradley's stinging corner was headed into the net by the unfortunate Peers.

 

Sligo Rovers: Brush, Boco, Keane (Turner 85), Peers, Kendrick, Cash (Ryan 69), Ventre, O'Grady, Marshall (Morrison 71), Blinkhorn, Cretaro.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Kelly, Camano.

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Treacy (Robinson HT), Sives, Price, Flynn, Bradley, Chisholm, Rice, Cahill, Baker (Barrett HT), Twigg (Johnston 89).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Murphy, Amond.

 

Referee: D McKeon.