Goals in each half from Gavin Peers and Eoin Doyle saw Sligo Rovers defeat Shamrock Rovers for the first time in five attempts this year.
Peers headed up the opening goal of an exciting contest when he met Joseph Ndo’s corner with a firm finish shortly before half-time.
And top-scorer Doyle wrapped up the win for the hosts, when he raced onto substitute John Dillon’s excellent pass before rounding Alan Mannus and sliding the ball to the net.
Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill made four changes to the team that struggled against Dundalk midweek, with Gary Twigg among those to lose out.
Chris Turner came in after scoring against Dundalk, but he lasted just 21 minutes before picking up an injury and making way for Ronan Finn.
The home side looked hungry early on in difficult conditions, and Peers went close from an early Ndo delivery.
Gary McCabe and Billy Dennehy threatened occasionally for the visitors, but the Bit O’ Red were deserving of their half-time lead courtesy of a fine 39th minute finish from Peers.
Raffaele Cretaro was booked for a dive when he was shouting for a penalty early in the second half, before Aaron Greene saw a cross drift towards goal and bounce off the top of the crossbar.
Twigg and Ciaran Kilduff were sprung from the bench by the Hoops soon after, and Kilduff’s first involvement brought strong shouts for a penalty as he went down in the area after colliding with Peers.
McCabe then forced an excellent save from Brendan Clarke with a terrific free-kick as time ticked down for the reigning champions.
But Doyle made sure of the points in injury-time as Dillon split the Hoops defence with a great pass, allowing the striker to race clear and finish confidently.
Sligo Rovers: Clarke; Keane, Peers, McGuinness, Greene; Cretaro (Dillon 73), Ndo, Ryan, Kirby (Russell 86), Doyle; Blinkhorn.
Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Sullivan, Oman, Sives, Stevens (Twigg 60); McCabe, Turner (Finn 21), Rice, McCormack, Dennehy; O’Neill (Kilduff 68).
Ref: A Buttimer.
