Bohemians 0
Sligo Rovers 2
BOHEMIANS’ MANAGER OWEN HEARY will be livid with his players who were the better side for the large part of this game but again handed three points to the opposition due to errors at the back.
Heary spoke before the game about the need for his team to cut out the big mistakes which have been costing them games but his message seems to be falling on deaf ears.
Sligo Rovers, who plundered an impressive ten goals in their last two matches, needed just the two today as they continue their march back up the league table.
It was former Bohemians defender Evan McMillan who headed the crucial first which opened up the home side who were forced to push on in the closing stages. The win was sealed by Danny North in the 3rdminute of injury time, just two minutes before Jason Byrne missed the chance to score his 211th League of Ireland goal from the spot.
Heary was forced to make major changes to his team after just 15 minutes with the departure of the injured Philip McCabe at left back, a troublesome position for the Bohs boss this season.
Derek Pender switched across to fill the void with striker Steven Beattie dropping back to right full. Kevin Devaney was brought off the bench to play as the lone striker and he caused the visitors some problems.
It was frustrating for fans yet to see Beattie play in the striking role but the Sligo defenders were immediately under pressure dealing with his replacement’s runs. Just after the half hour mark, a long high ball from Paddy Kavanagh dropped into Devaney’s path. The front man let it bounce once before having a shot which flew over the bar. His best chance came in the second minute of injury time.
The front man showed great endeavour chasing down a lost cause when Sligo keeper Gary Rogers delayed in clearing his lines. The Bohs forward got a tackle in forcing a throw on the 18-yard line. Devaney collected the ball from the Beattie throw before going on a mazy run past Jeff Henderson and Ross Gaynor. He powered a shot from close range but Rogers got down quickly to save.
The match improved greatly in the second-half with Bohemians getting off to a better start. Dave Mulcahy had two chances within the first eight minutes of the half. The first a long range effort which was over and it was the same result for his second which was headed at the near post from a Ryan McEvoy free kick.
The host’s best chance to open the scoring came in the 63rd minute when Karl Moore darted down the wing before finding Craig Walsh on the edge of the box. The midfielder let fly with a bullet which was just inches wide.
As the half wore on Bohemians tired and lost their focus when defending Kieran Djilali’s 79th minute corner. Goalkeeper Lee Murphy came out in an attempt to collect the ball but he fumbled it and McMillan was there to head home at the far post.
The home side committed more numbers to attack leaving spaces at the back and Sligo took advantage. In the 93rd minute Roberto Lopes made a massive error in attempting to deal with a cross from Sean Maguire. The defender failed to control and clear the ball which then fell for Danny North who finished neatly from inside the box.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Bohemians had a chance to get one back when John Russell was blown up for handball in the 5thminute of injury time. Jason Byrne stepped up and looked to have tucked it as close as he could to Rogers’ left post but the shot was weak an the Sligo goalkeeper had plenty of time to get down and make the save.
Worryingly for Heary’s team who drop to 9th in the table, it was their 3rd defeat on the bounce as they prepare for a trip to table toppers Cork City. Sligo meanwhile are up to sixth place with their 2nd consecutive win.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Pender, Lopes, Price, McCabe (Devaney 15); Mulcahy, Kavanagh (J.Byrne 82), McEvoy, Moore, Walsh (Traynor 64); Beattie. Substitutes: Buckley, Hyland, D.Byrne, Delany.
SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers; Keane, Ledwith, McMillan, Henderson; Cawley, Gaynor (Russell 62), O’Conor (North 62), Ndo (Maguire 77); Greene, Djilali. Substitutes: Spillane, Odihambo, Dykes, Brush.
Referee: Jim McKell
Attendance: 1140