Rovers started the game excellently and were pushing forward in the opening minutes. A succession of corners was wasted as they looked to replicate their threat from set pieces in win against Cobh Ramblers.

Derry City had plenty of possession but rarely threatened Richard Brush in goals, only twice were Rovers in danger of conceding in the first half.

The best chance of the match fell to Conor Sammon in the 11^th minute. His header looked to be destined for the net until the athletic Brush pushed the ball over the ball. It was a moment of brilliance from the former Coventry City player.

The influential  Paddy McCourt was the cause of a lot of trouble for Rovers on the right wing so it must have been a relief for Paul Cook to see McCourt substituted in the first half due to a calf injury,

Former Dunfermline Athletic player Owen Morrison struck a free-kick from the right side of the box in the 43^rd minute and it struck the angle of post and crossbar with Brush beaten.

The best The Bit O' Red could muster in the first half was a Rommy Boco shot that failed to trouble Gerard Doherty in the Derry goal.

Rovers continued to have attempts on goal from long range in the second half but they struggled to make any clear cut chances.

But the side continued to work hard and chase every ball with Conor O' Grady and Mauro Almeida rock solid for Rovers. O' Grady was chasing every ball for Rovers while Almeida let nothing get by the defensive line and kept the Derry strike force at bay with some stern tackling alongside with the cool headed Gavin Peers.

The full time whistle was greeted with joy by the supporters in the corner of the main stand in The Brandywell. It was a tremendous performance by The Bit O'Red who are now unbeaten in their last three games. Next up is the home game with Galway United this Saturday and with the announcement of Liverpool legends game in June things are looking up for Sligo Rovers.

Derry City - Doherty; McGlynn, Hutton, Gray; McCourt (McGinn, 31 mins.), Molloy (Martyn, 68), Higgins, Morrison, McGlynn, Sammon.

Sligo Rovers - Brush; Coleman, Almeida, Peers, Butler; Cash, Ventre, O'Grady, Moore (Murphy, 58 mins.), Boco, Feeney (Judge, 63 mins.)

By Rory Houston