Sligo Rovers suffered defeat at home to a Dublin side for the second time in five days as Bohemians picked up their second win of the season, winning 1-0 at the Showgrounds.
Liam Burt hit the only goal of this rearranged tie after 26 minutes and the Gypsies left with all three points.
With no win in their last five, Keith Long stuck with the same starting eleven who suffered defeat to Derry on Friday last, while Sligo boss Liam Buckley reacted to their under-par performance against Shelbourne on the same night by making five changes including the return of skipper Greg Bolger for the first time since the second night of the season.
Max Mata led the line for Rovers for the first time at the Showgrounds and he was almost on the end of a fortuitous opener on ten minutes.
The New Zealander knew little about Karl O'Sullivan’s corner which took a touch off the falling striker, but Bohs net minder James Talbot was alert to hold the ball.
Promise Omochere was central to all that was good about the visitors and he was involved for the first time on 12 minutes.
His lobbed attempt coming back off the top of Ed McGinty’s crossbar after he did well to hold off Nando Pijnaker twelve minutes in. While the same man was central to Burt’s opener.
The Dubliner using his strength as he weaved his way past a series of challenges before teeing up Burt, whose effort took a deflection off Sligo's’ Garry Buckley on its way to the net.
Karl O’Sullivan skied an effort on 34 minutes as the home side looked to a find a path back into this tie. But defensive slip ups almost cost them again before the break as they found themselves stretched once more.
Lewis Banks lost his footing out wide, allowing Burt to take control. The ball ending up with Kris Twardek on the far wing but McGinty was on hand to fist away the Canadian’s laced effort.
While unmarked, Ciaran Kelly failed to make the most of the chance as he headed Jordan Flores’ corner over McGinty’s goal six minutes from the break.
The hosts created their best opportunity of the half 90 seconds later.
Pijnaker’s quick turn was followed by a well weighted ball over the top for Mata to run on to. But the finish didn’t match the intent as Talbot was able to divert the ball around his post.
Bohs felt they were denied a penalty in the opening moments of the second half, when the ball looked to have struck a Rovers player’s arm in front of goal. But referee David Dunne interpreted this as the ball having hit a Bohs player.
Mata turned up another great chance when he nodded Adam McDonnell’s set piece over the crossbar, while Talbot quickly fell at the feet of Will Fitzgerald to smother the Limerick man’s drive on the hour.
Buckley’s blushes were then saved by McGinty at the opposite end after sloppy play from the centre half allowed Omochere take control. The Gypsies then looked likely to double their lead when Omochere linked up with Burt, but McGinty spread himself in time to deny the Scot.
The Republic of Ireland underage international repeated the trick with ten to go as he again kept out a low drive, this time from Omochere. While substitute Paddy Kirk saw a late chance bounce wide of the Bohs goal before the whistle.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, Garry Buckley, Nando Pijnaker, Robbie McCourt (Shane Blaney 88); Niall Morahan (Seamas Keogh 79), Greg Bolger; Karl O’Sullivan (Jordan Hamilton 88), Will Fitzgerald (Paddy Kirk 79) ; Adam McDonnell; Max Mata
Bohemians: James Talbot; Rory Feely (Max Murphy 10), Ciaran Kelly, Grant Horton, Tyreke Wilson; Conor Levingston, Jordan Flores (Dawson Devoy 70); Kris Twardek, Liam Burt (Junior 70); Ali Coote (Jordan Doherty 94); Promise Omochere
Referee: David Dunne
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