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Rhys McCabe (left) and Vinny Faherty (right) were both on the scoresheet tonight. Bryan Keane/INPHO
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Sligo beat Derry to boost survival hopes and relegate Finn Harps

Rhys McCabe, Vinny Faherty and Craig Roddan were on target, as their side grabbed a vital win.

Sligo 3

Derry 0

Jessica Farry reports from the Showgrounds

SLIGO ROVERS’ SURVIVAL hopes were boosted massively as they picked up a crucial 3-0 victory over Derry City at The Showgrounds.

Rhys McCabe’s first half corner was assisted into the goal by the strong breeze, with Vinny Faherty making it 2-0 shortly afterwards.

Craig Roddan rounded up an excellent night for Sligo Rovers with his 90th minute goal.

Ger Lyttle’s side are now three points ahead of Galway United, with just one game left. Shane Keegan’s side boast a superior goal difference to the Bit O’Red, which could yet prove vital to the relegation battle.

The victory for Sligo Rovers means that Finn Harps are now relegated, joining Drogheda United in the First Division next year.

The Bit O’Red were sitting in the relegation zone earlier in the day on goal difference as a result of Galway’s draw with Limerick on Friday night.

With Shamrock Rovers suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bray Wanderers this weekend, third place was still very much in the frame for the Candystripes, who were just one point behind the Hoops in fourth.

The hosts needed a win for their survival bid, and they got their evening off to the perfect start, with the help of the strong breeze.

With just eight minutes on the clock, Rhys McCabe’s corner was helped past Ger Doherty by the breeze, although Craig Roddan might have thought it was his goal for a couple of seconds.

The Candystripes were forced to play against the extremely strong breeze for the first 45 minutes, and conditions were not in their favour, although they tried their hardest.

Former Dunfermline man McCabe tried his luck again from a corner, but Doherty was alert this time, and forced it clear.

Ger Lyttle’s side were using the breeze to their advantage, although Storm Brian can’t be credited for their second goal.

With 40 minutes on the clock, Doherty cleared Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s effort, but Faherty’s touch was enough to beat the Derry stopper to double Sligo’s lead.

Kenny Shiels’ side almost pulled one back with a carbon copy of Rovers’ opener – Aaron McEneff’s corner was assisted towards goal by the wind, but Shaun Patton pushed it clear — his first real bit of action in the game.

Despite playing against the breeze, Rovers worked extremely hard and gave Derry very few chances.

And they were rewarded for their discipline in the 90th minute, when Roddan capitalised on a Doherty error, scoring into an empty net — his first goal for the club.

Sligo Rovers: Shaun Patton, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Seamus Sharkey, Michael Leahy, Regan Donelon, Jamie McDonagh (Gary Boylan, 70), Rhys McCabe, John Russell, Craig Roddan, Greg Moorhouse (Benny Igiehon, 90), Vinny Faherty (Jack Keaney, 81).
Subs: Ed McGinty, Daniel Kearns, Raffaele Cretaro, John Mahon.

Derry City: Ger Doherty, Conor McDermott, Darren Cole, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis, Ronan Curtis, Barry McNamee, Harry Monaghan (Nicky Low, 46), Aaron McEneff (Jozef Dolny, 85), Ben Doherty (Jamie McIntyre, 46), Rory Patterson,
Subs: Eric Grimes, Lukas Schubert, Nathan Boyle, Eoin Toal.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

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