ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC picked up their sixth consecutive league win with a 3-0 victory over Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
That victory takes them three points clear of Shamrock Rovers who play on Sunday.
Second half goals from Forrester (2) and McGrath sealed a comfortable victory for the Saints.
There was a lively start to the game in the sun soaked Showgrounds when Gary Armstrong drove forward and passed right to Keith Ward, but the Dubliner’s return pass was too forward for the youngster.
Richard Brush was forced into action early on when he denied Conan Byrne from close range before he was almost beaten twice but for the crossbar keeping tow Killian Brennan frees at bay.
Rovers were forced to contend with a Sander Puri injury at the end of the first-half, with Ruairi Keating taking his place, while the Saints were also forced into a change before half-time when Jason McGuinness ended up covered in blood after a clash with Brush.
He was replaced by Liam Buckley’s new signing Ian Morris.
Rovers emerged from the dressing room with a second half urgency, but were struggling to keep the Saints out of their half. Aaron Greene looked to be goalward bound but for an incredible challenge from Gavin Peers to avert the danger.
But theat danger wouldn’t go away,and the Dubliners took the lead on 62 minutes, Chris Forrester’s tame looking effort made its way through a crowded box before a deflection beat Brush to make it 1-0.
Rovers’ wounds were worsened ten minutes later when the visitors doubled their lead. Man of the moment Jamie McGrath shot from the right in space and his effort trickled past Brush.
The final nail in the coffin came with just minutes left on the clock. Conan Byrne charged forward and spotted Forrester free to his left, with an open goal in front of him, he walked it into the net to make it 3-0.
Sligo Rovers: Brush, Keane, Peers, Boylan, Ledwith (McManus, 68), Puri (Keating, 45), Cawley, Cretaro, Ward, Flatley (Dykes, 56), Armstrong.
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Clarke, O’Brien, Bermingham, McGuinness (Morris, 45), Desmond, Byrne, Chambers, Forrester (Verdon, 87) Brennan (Langley, 74), Greene, McGrath.
Referee: Graham Kelly