Kailin Barlow scored his first goal for Sligo Rovers but was later sent off as the Bit O'Red eased the
pressure somewhat on manager John Russell, as they saw off a jaded looking Bohemians at the
Showgrounds.
Rovers sailed into a two-goal lead courtesy of Barlow’s strike and a Max Mata tap-in, while Stefan
Radosavljevic’s second-half stunner effectively decided the tie for the Bit O’Red who picked up their
first win in five.
Jonathan Afolabi’s goal three minutes from time proved little more than a consolation for Declan
Devine’s side.
Bohs' first half showing didn’t promise much as Rovers were almost totally dominant. Sligo skipper
Greg Bolger swept an early effort wide off his weaker foot after a Johan Brannefalk ball caused issues
in the Bohs defence.
Barlow headed another Brannefalk cross at James Talbot on 13 minutes, while another dangerous
ball from the Swede was met by Mata seven minutes later. But Sligo’s top scorer could only nod off
target as Bohs struggled to settle.
An unconvincing Talbot got caught out by the strong wind blowing from behind his goal mid-way
through the half when he failed to deal with Bolger’s ball towards the visitor’s penalty area. Talbot’s
blushes spared when Danny Lafferty was unable to wrap his foot around the loose ball.
Rovers deservedly hit the front 26 minutes in. Instead of trying to beat the traffic in front of him,
Mata instead elected to pick out Barlow, whose effort bounced off the inside of the far post on its
way past Talbot for his maiden goal for the club.
One became two three minutes from the interval.
Talbot not covering himself in glory again as he dropped Barlow’s cross to the front post. Mata’s
tenth goal of the season his most simple as he was left with an easy tap in.
Rovers had their third on 55 minutes when in spectacular fashion, substitute Radosavljevic gave
Talbot no hope when he drove home from all of 30 yards. The ball arcing over the stunned Talbot as
Sligo’s Faroese forward grabbed his second goal of the season.
The Connacht side were reduced to ten on 63 when Barlow was shown a second yellow following a
needless shirt-tug in front of the dugouts.
The numerical disadvantage slowed Rovers slightly and although Bohs did make their mark three
minutes from time from an Afolabi goal, Sligo stayed well in command, providing themselves with a
much needed shot in the arm.
Sligo Rovers: Luke McNicholas; Johan Brannefalk, John Mahon (David Cawley 74), Nando Pijnaker,
Danny Lafferty; Niall Morahan, Greg Bolger (Lukas Browning 62); Frank Liivak (Stefan Radosavljevic
HT), Will Fitzgerald; Kailin Barlow, Max Mata (Owen Elding 78).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Grant Horton, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Paddy Kirk; Jordan
Flores, Adam McDonnell (Declan McDaid HT), James Clarke (Nickson Okosun 70); Dylan Connolly, Kris
Twardek (James McManus HT); Jonathan Afolabi.
Referee: David Dunne
