SLIGO ROVERS, chasing their first League title since 1977, may have to wait an extra year after the pain of this defeat in Inchicore.

By failing to collect any points from their trip to Richmond Park, Sligo are now just two points clear of second-placed Shamrock Rovers, who have also played two games fewer.

While it is the Dublin Rovers’ title to lose now, that simply didn’t look like being the case at half-time last night, at which point Sligo were in complete control.

The westerners had opened with a quick tempo, cleverly pushing their two full backs into advanced positions, which effectively forced Pat’s into deep retreat.

And it was here where the bulk of action occurred, John Russell going close with a cross-cum-shot, Matthew Blinkhorn going closer with two headers, one which was brilliantly blocked by Evan McMillan, one which bounced over the bar.

Over the bar was also the direction Eoin Doyle’s shot went in – as Sligo tried to turn the screw and prayed for a lucky break.

Yet the only break they got was a bad one, when, after 67 minutes, Conor Kenna luckily got a touch to convert Stephen Bradley’s free kick and put St Pat’s ahead.

Sligo’s response was immediate. Eoin Doyle shot over from 10 yards, Alan Kirby struck the crossbar with three minutes left and both Gavin Peers and Rafael Cretaro forced Gary Rogers into clever saves in injury time.

Then, with the last kick of the game, Richie Ryan’s powerful shot struck the post. Pat’s survived and both Shamrock Rovers and Derry City celebrated.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, E McMillan, Bermingham; Murphy (North 77), Bradley, Mulcahy (D McMillan 37), Crowley, Doyle; D Kavanagh (Shortall 88).

SLIGO ROVERS: Clarke; Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Davoren; Ryan, Ventre (Kirby HT); Ndo, Russell, Greene (Cretaro 70); Blinkhorn (Doyle 58)

REFEREE: T Connolly (Dublin)