Karl Sheppard's fourth goal in four Airtricity League games gave Shamrock Rovers a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
Sheppard headed the only goal of an entertaining and hard-fought game from Conor McCormack's left wing cross on 35 minutes.
Sligo enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half and could have snatched an equaliser after Ken Oman's late dismissal for the home side.
John Russell picked out Matthew Blinkhorn in the box in injury time, but Hoops keeper Alan Mannus blocked his shot.
The win was the Hoops' fourth over Sligo this season and keeps them at the head of affairs in the Airtricity League, while the defeat sees Sligo drop a place to fifth.
Both sides knocked the ball around well but their familiarity and mutual respect meant it was always going to be tight. The packed midfields meant space and clear-cut chances were difficult to come by.
McCormack replaced Billy Dennehy in midfield for the home side following the 1-1 draw with Dundalk on Monday. Gary O'Neill acted as the lone striker with support from Sheppard, Gary McCabe and Ronan Finn in midfield.
Sligo made just one change from the side that beat Derry City last time out. Derek Foran slotted in at centre-half in place of the suspended Gavin Peers. They also opted for five in midfield with Blinkhorn acting alone up front.
Sheppard failed to find the target with two early efforts as the home side had the better of the opening exchanges. Brendan Clarke was then called on to keep out McCabe's low free-kick, but only at the second attempt.
At the other end, Raffaele Cretaro's cross gave Blinkhorn a chance to put Sligo ahead midway through the half, but he could not keep his header down after beating Oman.
Clarke enjoyed a mixed evening in the visitors' goal. A well-timed interception of Finn's cutback was followed minutes later by a poor clearance that almost gave O'Neill his first Rovers goal.
However, Clarke's luck ran out on 35 minutes as the champions took the lead.
McCormack found space on the left and Sheppard stooped to nod home the cross for a deserved opener.
Sligo enjoyed a decent start to second half, but much of their promising play ended up in the grateful hands of Mannus.
It was Sheppard who had chance to double his side's lead on the hour, but he shot straight at Clarke from McCabe's through ball.
Sligo's dominance in possession grew as the half wore on, which forced the Hoops to sit back to preserve their lead.
Paul Cook, who had been enraged by some of referee Anthony Buttimer's decisions, introduced Alan Kirby, Aaron Greene and John Russell to try to make the breakthrough.
Their cause was helped when Oman was dismissed with six minutes left. The defender picked up his second yellow card for not allowing Clarke kick the ball out.
Hoops substitute Ciaran Kilduff should have made the game safe late on as he surged through and rounded Clarke, but he could only find the side-netting.
Russell presented Blinkhorn with a glorious chance to snatch a point in injury-time, but Mannus rushed off the line to deny the striker.
Shamrock Rovers: 1 Mannus; 2 Sullivan, 5 Murray, 17 Oman, 3 Stevens; 22 McCormack (18 Turner '81), 6 Rice, 21 Finn; 7 McCabe (20 Dennehy '62), 10 Sheppard, 19 O'Neill (11 Kilduff '73).
Subs not used: 13 Flynn, 14 Kelly, 15 Kavanagh, 16 Thompson (gk).
Booked: Oman.
Sent-off: Oman.
Sligo Rovers: 1 Clarke; 2 Keane, 20 McGuinness, 16 Foran, 3 Davoren; 10 Cretaro (22 Greene '62), 5 Ventre (8 Russell '79), 6 Ryan, 11 Doyle; 9 Blinkhorn, 15 Ndo (12 Kirby '75).
Subs not used: 7 Dillon, 8 Russell, 14 McGoldrick, 17 Horgan, 19 Kelly (gk).
Booked: Davoren.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
