Bohemians hit Sligo Rovers for four at the Showgrounds as the Bit O’Red struggled through a night to forget in horrific wintry conditions in the north west.

Colm Whelan hit a second half hat-trick for a strong Bohs side, after Dayle Rooney had fired the visitors into the lead early on.

The defeat leaves Rovers at the foot of the table with just two games played ahead of trips to Waterford and Galway.

Rovers boss John Russell gave first starts at the Showgrounds to new signings Jeannot Esua, Alex Nolan and Mai Traore who was cleared to take part following visa issues which saw him miss the opening night in Derry.

It took just 90 seconds for Bohs to hit the lead through Rooney, while Whelan hit a 13 minute hat-trick.

Eager to now put this result beyond them, Rovers move on to next Friday and the journey to the RSC to face Waterford.

Match sponsor: Snug Bar, Sligo.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeanot Esua, Gareth McElroy (Shane Blaney HT), Ollie Denham, Will Fitzgerald; Alex Nolan (Sean Stewart 75), Seb Quirk, Daire Patton (Archie Meekison 75), Ryan O’Kane; Jad Hakiki (Cian Kavanagh 63); Mai Traore.

Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Senan Mullen, Patrick Hickey, Sam Todd; Darragh Power (Cian Byrne 81), Jordan Flores (Niall Morahan 76), Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney; Ross Tierney (Harry Vaughan 81); Douglas James-Taylor (Hugh Martin 69), Colm Whelan (Adam McDonnell 76). 

Referee: Alan Patchell.

Attendance: 2,754.