SLIGO ROVERS earned their second win of the season with a comfortable  2-0 defeat an overwhelmed Drogheda United at The Showgrounds.

Paul Cook's side displayed all the attacking verve that should rightly see them amongst the challengers for the Airtricity League Premier Division this term.

 

John Dillon netted twice - once in each half - as Sligo Rovers dominated from the start and put themselves in the ideal mindset ahead of the Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final first-leg against Portadown at their Sligo fortress this Monday night.

 

Plucky Drogheda United were often cut to shreds by Sligo Rovers' attacking style - Rafael Cretaro, back in the team, could have had a hat-trick - but a combination of wayward finishing and the excellence of the visitors' goalkeeper, David Quirke, kept the scoreline at a respectable level.

 

The winners could afford a first-half penalty miss - Alan Keane’s spot-kick saved - as the Drogheda United goalkeeper, Quirke, kept his side in contention although, in truth, Mick Cooke’s side rarely looked like matching their slicker and superior opponents.

 

Sligo made three changes from the side that started the previous weekend’s game - a scoreless away draw at the Carlisle Grounds - as Alan Kirby, Aaron Greene and Rafael Cretaro were preferred instead of Danny Ventre, Eoin Doyle and Matthew Blinkhorn respectively.

 

United, without a win in three top-flight games ahead of their trip to the north-west, made one change from the side that drew 2-2 at home against Derry City, as Stephen Quigley replaced Alan McNally in Mick Cooke’s selection.

 

Alan Kirby, in a playmaking role as last season’s FAI Ford Cup winners continue to be without Joseph Ndo, was lively in the opening changes as Rovers took a fourth minute lead from their first meaningful attack.

 

Richie Ryan’s low, skimming drive from outside the penalty area drew a fine stop from the Drogheda United goalkeeper, David Quirke, who could only parry the ball into the path of Dillon, whose composed finish put the home side ahead.

 

Drogheda tried to muster a reply with a shot from Colin O’Brien but the midfielder’s effort flew wide of the target and, from a fine move, David Freeman hooked an effort wide from inside the box.

 

The visitors picked up the night’s first booking when John Lester was put into Paul Tuite’s notebook before Sligo Rovers missed the chance to double their lead from a spot-kick.

 

Gareth Whelan impeded Iarfhlaith Davoren in the area but, from the subsequent penalty, Quirke kept out Alan Keane’s effort and Aaron Greene’s follow-up was cleared off the line.

 

The home side continued to dominate and create opportunities - Cretaro and Jason McGuinness both off target with headers.

 

Matters became heated in the 38th minute when, from a Sligo Rovers corner, Quirke was booked following a challenge on Gavin Peers. This was their third booking of the night.

 

Sligo made a positive start to the second-half and Aaron Greene’s 47th minute cross almost reached Cretaro, who was about to pull the trigger, but Whelan made a vital interception.

 Kirby then dragged a shot wide from John Rusell’s cross and Cretaro whipped a shot into the side-netting as Cook’s charges threatened to double their lead.

 

The home side thought they had doubled their lead in the 60th minute but Cretaro was adjudged to have been in an off side position when he swept home the loose ball after Russell’s piledriver was parried by Quirke.

 

Dillon doubled Sligo Rovers’ lead after 68 minutes - the impressive winger slammed home the rebound after Russell’s effort came off the crossbar.

 

Substitute Doyle planted a header wide - from Kirby’s delivery - as Rovers sought a third at a venue that saw a crowd of over 2,000, including a smattering of away fans, enjoy an entertaining spectacle.

 

Doyle fired off a shot on target in the 85th minute as Drogheda United’s defenders kept their composure despite the home side’s clever attacking onslaughts - Whelan and Mark O’Brien made last-gasp tackles to prevent further goal threats.

 

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Iarfhlaith Davoren; John Dillon (Eoin Doyle 69) , Richie Ryan, Alan Kirby (Mark McGoldrick 90+1), John Russell, Aaron Greene; Raf Cretaro (Matthew Blinkhorn 69).

 

Drogheda United: David Quirke; Brian Gannon, Stephen Quigley, Gareth Whelan, Anthony Costigan (Stephen McCrossan 33); Colin O’Brien, John Lester (Jack Flynn 62), Mark O’Brien, Philip Hand; Dinny Corcoran, David Freeman (Philip McDonagh 74).

 

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)