The game turned in injury-time at the end of the first half, as Drogheda defender Brian King was handed a straight red-card after his late challenge stopped Eoin Doyle from breaking through on goal.

It took Rovers just a minute to take advantage, as the ball broke to Richie Ryan at the edge of the area, and he fired high to the net.

Rovers got their second just two minutes into the second half, as Joseph Ndo's corner was finished to the net by a Gavin Peers diving header.

Ryan turned provider for the third goal, when his ball over the defence was controlled by Padraig Amond, who showed strength to hold off his man before firing to the corner.

Amond got the fourth as well, when substitute Jason McCartney raced down the left before teeing the striker up in front of goal.

John Dillon got the fifth goal less than a minute after his introduction. Amond did the hard work, breaking into the area before unselfishly squaring for Dillon to finish.

And Amond completed his hat-trick by rounding Skinner for the sixth in the closing minutes.

Sligo: Brush, Keane, Peers, Ventre, Davoren (McCartney 37), Doyle, Russell (Doninger 62), Ryan, McCabe (Dillon 75), Ndo, Amond.

Drogheda: Skinner, D Brennan (Daly 64), Harris, McNally, King, O'Connor, B McGill, E McGill (Smyth 55), R Brennan (Osbourne HT), Crowley, Fitzpatrick.

Ref: D McKeon (Dublin).