Sligo Rovers took their goal tally to 12 in just two games after a 6-0 destruction of Drogheda United at The Showgrounds.
The sending-off of Drogheda defender Brian King proved the turning point, as Richie Ryan opened the scoring just a minute after his dismissal.
A second goal through Gavin Peers just two minutes into the second half left Drogheda facing an uphill task and Rovers ran riot in the closing stages. Padraig Amond claimed a hat-trick and set one up for substitute John Dillon.
Rovers were handed a blow before the game, with Matthew Blinkhorn, who has scored four goals in the last two games, failed a late fitness test. New signing John Russell was called up for his first start in the only change to the team that defeated Letterkenny in the EA Sports Cup midweek.
Drogheda were without Corrie Treacy, Joe Kendrick and Robbie Martin, and made two changes from the side that drew with Sporting Fingal, with Eric McGill and Ryan Brennan handed starts.
Amond almost opened the scoring on nine minutes when he latched onto Russell’s clever back-heel, but Paul Skinner raced out to make the save.
Drogheda’s first shooting chance didn’t arrive until the 21st minute, but Glen Fitzpatrick’s effort rose too high.
The game changed in injury-time at the end of the first half, as King was handed a straight red-card after his late challenge stopped Eoin Doyle from breaking through on goal.
It took Rovers just a minute to take advantage, as the ball broke to Ryan at the edge of the area, and he fired high to the net.
Rovers got their second just two minutes into the second half, as Joseph Ndo’s corner was finished to the net by a Peers diving header.
Ryan turned provider for the third goal, when his ball over the defence was controlled by Amond, who showed strength to hold off his man before firing to the corner.
Amond got the third as well, when substitute Jason McCartney raced down the left before teeing the striker up in front of goal.
Rovers continued to carve Drogheda open at will and John Dillon got the fifth goal less than a minute after his introduction. Amond did the hard work, breaking into the area before unselfishly squaring for Dillon to finish.
And Amond completed the scoring by rounding Skinner for the sixth in the closing minutes.
Sligo Rovers: 1 Richard Brush; 2 Alan Keane, 4 Gavin Peers, 5 Danny Ventre (c), 3 Iarfhlaith Davoren (13 Jason McCartney 37); 7 Eoin Doyle, 8 John Russell (9 Mark Doninger 62), 6 Richie Ryan, 11 Gary McCabe (16 John Dillon 75); 15 Joseph Ndo, 10 Padraig Amond.
Subs not used: 17 Ciaran Kelly, 12 Conor O’Grady.
Drogheda United: 1 Paul Skinner; 4 Damian Brennan, 15 Jamie Harris, 5 Alan McNally (c), 17 Brian King; 7 Brendan McGill, 6 Eric McGill (20 Colm Smyth 55), 10 Paul Crowley, 19 Ryan Brennan (12 Eoghan Osbourne HT); 14 Gareth O’Connor, 18 Glen Fitzpatrick.
Subs not used: 8 Jamie Duffy, 23 Paul Murphy, 16 Mick Daly.
Booked: King (7), O’Connor (40)
Sent-off: King (45+2)
Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).
