Sligo Rovers got back to winning ways on Monday with a 1-0 win in Dublin against St. Patrick’s Athletic.

The Bit O’ Red came into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night at Tallaght Stadium, a game where they dominated for large spells.

Rovers were without a number of players due to injury for the game in Inchicore. Greg Bolger was ruled out with an injury he picked up on Friday and Eanna Clancy could only make the bench but John Mahon returned in time to start and Lukas Browning replaced Bolger in our two changes from Friday.

John Russell was without James Finnerty (Achilles), Fabrice Hartmann (Hamstring), Bogdan Vastsuk (groin), Garry Buckley, Gary Boylan, Mark Byrne (all ACL) and Karl O’ Sullivan & Conor Walsh (both ankle).

The game started with both sides looking to get forward and get an early opening goal in a sun kissed Richmond Park.

Rovers first opportunity came on ten minutes after good play from Niall Morahan who broke forward and found Will Fitzgerald who’s shot was deflected wide.

Kailin Barlow went close soon after and Pats’ Jason McLelland fizzed one just over the bar up the other end.

The first half played out evenly and the sides went in level at the break.

Stefan Radosavljevic replaced Kailin Barlow at half-time, the local man picked up a knock in the opening period.

It was Radosavljevic who was heavily involved in the game’s opening goal on 56 minutes.

John Mahon played a good pass into Max Mata who flicked it around the corner to Radosavljevic. The Faroese International sprayed a pass to Johan Brannefalk on the right who looked up and picked out Mata who continued his run and rose highest to power home his header and put Rovers in front.

St. Pats brought on a number of subs as they looked to get back into the game and John Russell introduced Daniel Lafferty and David Cawley instead of Johan Brannefalk and Mata.

St. Pat’s pushed forward in search of an equaliser but Rovers defended well throughout, with Luke McNicholas claiming some high balls into the box and a combination of Nando Pijnaker and Mahon heading everything that came their way.

The referee added on 5 minutes at the end of the game. Radosavljevic picked up possession on halfway on 92 minutes and slipped it inside for the tireless Frank Liivak who cut inside and almost doubled the lead with a left footed effort which skinned the post.

Eoin Doyle, a second half substitute, added to the home side’s woes moments later as he was sent off for a tackle on Will Fitzgerald.

Rovers saw the game out and claimed a valuable three points in front of around 400 travelling Bit O’ Red supporters.

Next up is Dundalk at The Showgrounds this Saturday night at 7.45pm.

You can buy tickets here: https://srfcdirect.com/match-tickets/