Sligo Rovers somehow came away empty handed from Lambe and Sullivan Park as the Bit O’Red were beaten by Drogheda United on Friday evening. 

Douglas James-Taylor netted this game’s only goal as early as minute four and although Kevin Doherty’s side could have been out of sight at the interval, it was Rovers who utterly dominated this second half without finding a way past Drogheda goalkeeper Luke Dennison. 

Both sides created a hatful of chances in a hugely competitive first half, the fact that only one goal was scored before the interval provided the biggest surprise of the half.

James-Taylor fired Drogs into the lead in the fourth minute when he picked out the bottom corner of Sam Sargeant’s net. 

Both Wilson Waweru and Owen Elding had chances to level but fired straight at Dennison in the United nets as Rovers spent their fair share of time in attack mode in this opening 45. . 

A head injury sustained by Gareth McElroy somewhat halted Sligo’s momentum, forcing John Russell into his first change of the night when Kyle McDonagh was introduced from the bench just past the half hour. 

The hosts had the better of the late first-half chances. Reece Hutchinson’s heroic last ditch tackle on James-Taylor denied the loanee striker after Andrew Quinn was allowed to roam almost the length of the Rovers half of the field. 

While Ryan Brennan went close from a corner before Conor Kane shook Sargeant’s goal frame with a rasper from range in added time. 

An eager second half start from the Showgrounds side saw Dennison execute a superb reaction save to deny a Will Fitzgerald volley as Rovers looked to restore terms as early as possible. 

Jad Hakiki then struck the bottom of the Drogheda post on 64 when Dennison spilled Elding’s cross straight onto the foot of the Dubliner. Hakiki found a way past the defender in front of him, but failed to tuck his shot to the right side of the post as Rovers pressed further. 

While the same player showed quick feet to dance his way around two challenges only to narrowly fire over the crossbar 4 minutes later. 

Rovers continued to dominate.

Substitutes Oskar Van Hattum and Cian Kavanagh linked up on 73 but the latter could only nod the former’s cross nonchalantly past the Drogheda post. 

Kavanagh worked Dennison again eight minutes from time when again he was assisted by Van Hattum. But the former Derry man couldn’t find the power to beat the American keeper on the turn.  

Kavanagh was involved once more in the 90th minute but couldn’t keep his header down after excellent work from Hutchinson and Fitzgerald down the Rovers left. 

Rovers have the chance to get back to winning ways this Monday night, with a huge Connacht derby set for the Showgrounds. Kick-off 7.45pm.