Bohemians inched closer to retaining their Premier Division title after beating Sligo Rovers 3-1 on Friday evening in Dalymount Park.

 

Pat Fenlon's team moved onto 76 points and opened up a three-point gap between themselves and Shamrock Rovers going into the final game of the season away to Bray Wanderers.

 

The champions-elect claimed their victory in this game with goals from Paddy Madden, Joseph Ndo, and Jason Byrne. A second-half strike from Dean Marshall was not enough for Sligo to register a comeback.

 

Madden broke the deadlock when he cleverly peeled away from his marker to connect with Killian Brennan's cross and head in.

 

Within 60 seconds Ndo had made it 2-0 when he expertly lobbed rookie goalkeeper Michael Schliingermann, who was filling in for the injured Richard Brush.

 

Bohs got their third of the night when Byrne fired in on 29 minutes following a superb reverse pass from Ndo. The striker has now moved onto 21 goals in the league this season.

 

After the interval, Sligo got one back when Marshall sneaked in behind the Bohs defence to chip Brian Murphy. It was a rare mistake by The Gypsies and an even rarer attack from the visitors.

 

In the end, Bohs had far too much quality for their opponents to handle and should pick up the league trophy next week as they travel to Bray for their final game of 2009.

 

Bohemians: B Murphy; Cronin, Shelley, A Murphy, Powell; Brennan, Keegan, Deegan, Ndo (Rossiter 88); Madden (Crowe 75), Byrne.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Gregg, Heary, Fenn.

 

Sligo Rovers: Schlingermann; Boco, Camano, Keane, Kendrick; Meenan, O'Grady, Ryan (Cash HT), Doyle; Marshall, Turner.

 

Substitutes Not Used: Rafter, Peers, Cretaro, Blinkhorn.

 

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork)