SLIGO ROVERS got back in title contention when Eoin Doyle's 17th league goal of the season made it a first win in four league games after a narrow victory over UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

The Students did have an early chance when Paul Corry fired just wide from the edge of the box  after clever build-up work between midfielder Robbie Creevy and striker Graham Rusk.

Sligo should really have taken the lead on 23 minutes when Conor Powell robbed defender Sean Harding and crossed for striker Matthew Blinkhorn to get in a shot from 15 yards taken off the line by David O'Connor with 'keeper Ger Barron beaten.

The Westerners missed another chance to break the deadlock on 35 minutes when the unmarked Doyle headed over the bar after the home defence failed to clear a mis-placed corner on the right by Joseph Ndo.

But Doyle made no mistake just three minutes later when slipping past 'keeper Barron and planting the ball into the unguarded net after a perfect defence-splitting pass from outstanding midfielder Richie Ryan.

Sligo should really have stretched their lead just before the interval when a Powell cross from the left allowed defender Danny Ventre to get in a powerful header from close range  just inches wide of the target.

Midway through the second half, substitute Aaron Greene shot just wide as Sligo dominated proceedings but frustratingly failed to turn that majority possession into further goals. Fellow sub. Alan Kirby then angled a shot just wide just before the finish. 

UCD - Barron; Harding (Benson 45), D.O'Connor, Leahy, Ledwith; Marshall, Corry, Creevy (Belhout 84), P.O'Conor, Meenan; Rusk. 

SLIGO ROVERS- Clarke; Cretaro, Peers, McGuinness, Powell; Dillon (Greene 62), Ventry, Ryan, Ndo (Kirby 53), E.Doyle; Blinkhorn (Davoren 84).

REFEREE- Graham Kelly (Cork).