Shamrock Rovers drop points at UCD, but Derry City LOSE at Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers 1

Derry City 0

Derry City fell five points behind in the title race as they slipped to a dismal defeat against struggling Shamrock Rovers.

A late red card to Ronan Boyce cost the Candystripes completely as the home side took immediate advantage, substitute Stefan Radosavljevic bundling home to inflict a seventh defeat of the season. Making it worse for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players is the fact that champions Shamrock Rovers were held to a shock 0-0 draw at bottom of the table UCD, making this yet another huge opportunity missed for Derry City.

In a poor game at the Sligo Showgrounds, it took Derry 30 minutes to threaten anything. Danny Mullen had two very opportunities in the space of 60 seconds. A quick break by Patching gave the striker a shooting opportunity from 25 yards and he brought the first save of the night from Richard Brush, who had to push it away to safety. City regained possession and Paul McMullan sent the ball back into the Sligo area where Mullen got in front of Brannefolk, but side-footed wide.

Sligo began the second half with more adventure than they showed in the entirety of the first period. Reece Hutchinson skipped away from Adam O’Reilly on half way and then Diallo as he charged towards goal, before setting up Pedro Martello, whose low shot had to be saved by Brian Maher.

Derry responded well and McMullan sent an early cross in towards Mullen, and the striker turned and shot with his left foot, Brush just about managing to stop it with his outstretched left hand as it threatened to creep past him.

Derry City had a huge shout for a penalty on 72 minutes when substitute Cian Kavanagh chased a ball over the top and collided with Brush, but referee Harvey said no, much to the disbelief of Ruaidhri Higgins on the sidelines.

Derry’s chances of winning the game suffered a huge blow just 10 minutes from time when Ronan Boyce, already on a yellow card, was sent off for an off the ball offence.

It quickly got worse for Derry as Sligo took the lead within minutes when Hutchinson crossed to the back post and substitute Stefan Radosavljevic bundled home at the back post. The City players surrounded referee Harvey claiming handball, but the goal stood.

It should have been 2-0 Sligo as City were carved pen again when Barlow set up Radosavljevic for what looked like a tap in, but the goal scorer blazed over from six yards.

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Brannefalk (Liivak 55’), Hutchinson, Bolger (Browning 79’), Morahan (Radosavljevic 79’), O’Sullivan, Mahon (Pijnaker 45’), Cawley, Burton (Barlow 63’), Buckley, Martello.

DERRY CITY: Maher, Boyce, Doherty (B Kavanagh 87’), McJannet, Coll, Diallo (Dummigan 69’), O’Reilly, Patching, Duffy, McMullan (McEneff 84’), Mullen (C Kavanagh 69’).

REFEFEE: Rob Harvey.