Dundalk's hopes of a top four finish remain alive as they easily brushed aside a sorry looking Sligo Rovers 2-0 at the Showgrounds.
A goal in either half from Daryl Horgan and late substitute Sam Durrant secured what will be one of the Lilywhites' more straight forward wins this season.
The win moved Dundalk within three points of fourth placed Bohemians, while for the Bit O'Red, who ended the game with ten men after Robbie Burton was sent off just short of the hour, this was their first defeat in three on home soil.
After a three-week break from league action for either club, both managers made changes from their respective previous outings. Rookie goalkeeper Conor Walsh returned for only his fifth appearance for Sligo, while John Mahon was also brought back into the fold by manager John Russell.
Dundalk boss Stephen O'Donnell challenged his players to react to some recent criticism thrown their way after their tilt at a place in Europe next season fizzled out prematurely. The Galway man rang the changes, making no less than five adjustments to the side who slipped up against Shels last month. Andy Boyle, Cameron Elliot, Ryan O'Kane, Senan Mullen and Louie Annesley all returning.
The hosts were looking to make it three home victories on the spin, but struggled to create much in front of Nathan Sheppard's goal.
Robbie Benson, who was later withdrawn due to injury, skied an effort from just inside the area on the quarter hour. While Archie Davies had to deflect a Fabrice Hartmann drive past his own goal 60 seconds later at the opposite end.
The Louth side hit the lead on 19 minutes when Sligo failed to track Daryl Horgan's late run. The former Rovers winger ghosted in to pick up Cameron Elliott's pass before slotting the ball under Walsh.
O'Donnell's charges were enjoying their best spell so far in this tie and a wonderful through ball from Benson allowed Horgan through on goal on 24 minutes. However, his chipped attempt didn't match the intent as his effort landed behind Walsh's goal.
Benson was involved again just past the half hour. But instead of opting to pick out options inside, the Athlone native decided to try to call Walsh's bluff by attempting to squeeze his low drive between the goalkeeper and his near post. Benson instead knocking the ball into the side netting.
Rovers were almost gifted an equaliser seven minutes from the break, but Greg Sloggett did enough to get in front of Greg Bolger's close range effort after a mix-up in the Dundalk defence.
Mullen fired a shot across the face of Walsh's goal early in the second half, moments before Sligo were reduced to ten when Burton reacted angrily to referee Paul McLaughlin's decision to book him following his challenge on a Dundalk player. The official dishing out a pair of yellow cards for either incident.
Sligo, yet to be guaranteed safety, did have a chance to level proceedings on 77 minutes when second half substitutes Kailin Barlow and John Brannefalk linked up. The latter lacking the composure required as he fired the ball straight into the oncoming Shepperd.
This meant very little in the end however as the visitors sealed victory two minutes from time when substitute Durrant wrapped up the points with a simple close-range finish.
Sligo Rovers: Conor Walsh; Niall Morahan, Garry Buckley (Nando Pijnaker 60), John Mahon, Reece Hutchinson (Will Fitzgerald 60); David Cawley (Kailin Barlow 60), Greg Bolger; Karl O'Sullivan, Robbie Burton, Fabrice Hartmann (Johan Brannefalk 66); Pedro Martelo (Frank Liivak 66).
Dundalk: Nathan Sheppard; Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley, Hayden Muller; Senan Mullen (Pat Hoban 84), Greg Slogett; Daryl Horgan (Daniel Kelly 71), Robbie Benson (Connor Malley 40), Ryan O'Kane (Sam Durrant 84); Cameron Elliot (Paul Doyle 84).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 1,753
