Declan Devine got his first win as Bohemians manager as his side finished a difficult season with a flourish against a luckless Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park.
Bohemians started on the front foot, James McManus forcing Colm Horgan to clear off the line scarcely two minutes in.
Winger Liam Burt then brought the first real roar of expectation from the Gypsies faithful, cutting in from the left to hit a drive that was inches over 17-year-old debutant Conor Walsh's crossbar.
Walsh then rushed outside his area to clear from Declan McDaid who looked in on goal from skipper Conor Levingston’s lob over the top.
But it was Tadgh Ryan at the other end who had to make the first telling save of the night on 32 minutes, tipping over the bar from Aidan Keena.
Ryan was there again minutes later to push away Keena’s drive from captain Greg Bolger’s free-kick, Eanna Clancy’s follow-up frantically blocked by the home defence.
Bohs then finished the half strongly to edge in front, however luckily, right on 45 minutes.
Walsh failed to gather Kris Twardek’s cross which struck the far post and entered the net off retreating 18-year-old Clancy, on his full league debut, for an own goal.
If that was unfortunate, the Bit O’ Red could have few complaints about falling further behind four minutes into the second half.
Jordan Flores floated a free-kick into the area where defender Rory Feely rose unchallenged to head to the net.
Sligo were inches from a response three minutes later, Max Mata bouncing a header from Bolger’s free kick over off the crossbar.
Back at the other end, Walsh went full stretch to push a James Clarke shot round a post before Bohemians did extend their lead further on 61 minutes.
Doherty's over hit cross was brilliantly turned back across goal at the end line by McManus for Clarke to head home.
A frustrated figure for much of the evening, Keena got his reward with Sligo’s consolation goal on 75 minutes, his shot from distance squirming under Ryan to make it 18 for the season for the division’s leading scorer.
Bohemians: Tadhg Ryan; Jordan Doherty (Aaron Doran 90), Rory Feely, Ciaran Kelly (Cian Byrne 54), Jordan Flores; Conor Levingston, James McManus; Kris Twardek (Jake McCormack 90), James Clarke, Liam Burt (Derin Adewale 90); Ethon Varian (Declan McDaid 19),
Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Colm Horgan, Nando Pijnaker, Eanna Clancy, Paddy Kirk (Karl O’Sullivan 6); Greg Bolger, Adam McDonnell (Seamus Keogh 70); Frank Liivak (Cillian Heaney 84), Aidan Keena, Will Fitzgerald; Max Mata.
Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo).
