Galway United 0 - 1 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers maintained their second place stance on the Premier Division table thanks to John Dillon's first half strike as they comfortably saw off the limited challenge of Galway United at Terryland Park.

The gulf in class between the Connacht outfits was noticeable for the majority of the contest but the niggling doubt for Sligo fans as they contemplate a season where title-chasing aspirations are looking more valid by the week is the fact that they failed to turn their superiority into a more comprehensive scoreline.

Both sides began with a one-man front line, but it was Paul Cook's charges who were the most attack-minded from the opening minute as Matthew Blinkhorn got ample support from the forward surges of John Russell and Alan Kirby while Joseph Yoffe cut an isolated figure for the most part for The Tribesmen.

Patience was key for the Bit o'Red as they dominated possession from the off as Galway looked to hit on the break as they faced into the teeth of a strong wind. Three minutes in many expected an early penalty as Iarfhlaith Davoren, one of four former United favourites in the Sligo starting line-up, appeared to be felled in the box but referee Damien Hancock was unmoved.

Connor's men registered three token efforts on goal in the first half, with Bobby Ryan the first to keep Brendan Clarke mildly occupied with a tame volley on 10 minutes. Ryan was Galway's only creative spark, and even then that was intermittent as Connor's men were wasteful with what little ownership of the ball they managed.

It may not quite have equalled Barcelona's tiki-taka style, but Cook was encouraging, in his own inimitable way, his side to press in numbers high up the pitch and keep the ball on the deck. This they did for the most part, but with almost half an hour gone they had only John Russell's long distance range finder to show for their efforts.

The opening goal was soon theirs, though, and Russell played a key role, running onto Jason McGuinness' long ball into the inside left channel and crossing deep for John Dillon, who netted his third goal in two games after taking a composed touch at the back stick and driving through a congested box.

Sligo could have doubled their lead on two occasions before the break as Blinkhorn headed wide from close range and Dillon skidded a 20-yard effort narrowly wide, while Galway's only effort that troubled the scoreboard came when Alan Murphy's skewed effort clattered the electronic one behind the goal two minutes before the turnaround.

A tame opening to the second half lasted all of fifteen minutes before Russell forced a splendid save from United 'keeper Greg Fleming. Galway responded by forcing a couple of corners but a clear chance was still no closer as the home fans among the highest Terryland crowd of the year, which incorporated a hefty band of Sligo revellers, were eager to see the men in maroon break their goalscoring duck on their home turf.

On 63 minutes, though, Dillon again almost had the net bulging but his crisp drive from a tight angle rattled the outside of the post with Russell again heavily involved. Kirby then managed a shot on target as Sligo operated in more open spaces with Galway pushing more bodies forward. The leveller never looked a viable proposition though, despite Murphy's left footed effort that stung Clarke's palms but fell to Yoffe who was correctly ruled offside.

Aaron Greene went closest to adding to the visitor's tally in the final minute but clipped his shot just beyond the post while further good news for the Bit O'Red faithful was the first introduction of Joseph N'do to the fray this season, marked as always by a number of flashes of genius which will surely be needed if Rovers are to reach the summit in 2011.

Galway United: Greg Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Shaun Maher, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walsh; Brian Cash, Sean Kelly, Alan Murphy (Steve Feeney, 82), Karl Moore; Bobby Ryan, Joseph Yoffe (Enda Curran, 75).
Subs not used: Conor Winn, Rory Gartlan, Shane Keogh, Paul Smith, Eduardo Dusi.
Bookings: Sean Kelly (23), Shaun Maher (57).

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Richie Ryan, John Russell, Alan Kirby (Danny Ventre, 65), John Dillon (Joseph N'do, 83), Aaron Greene; Matthew Blinkhorn (Eoin Doyle, 75).
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Derek Foran, Mark McGoldrick, Daryl Horgan.
Bookings: J McGuinness (75).

Referee: Damien Hancock.
Attendance: 1,736.
extratime Man of the Match: John Russell (Sligo Rovers).