Sligo Rovers' winless run stretched to five matches after a 1-0 home defeat to St Patrick's Athletic on Saturday evening. Aidan Keena's second-half strike proved decisive, leaving the Bit O'Red anchored in 10th place in the Premier Division.
The result means Sligo have now lost all five of their most recent league fixtures, a sequence that has seen them concede 12 goals while scoring just once. They remain on 23 points from 32 games, a full 36 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Manager David Purse set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Liam John Hughes in goal behind a back four of Aidan Gabbidon, Gavin McElroy, Carl McHugh and Sean Stewart. St Patrick's, managed by Stephen Kenny, enjoyed the better of the first half, forcing Hughes into several saves as they controlled 58 percent of possession.
Sligo's defensive discipline held until the 74th minute. A move down the Saints' right culminated in a low cross that found Keena, who finished from close range to break the deadlock. The hosts had offered little attacking threat, managing only five shots all game with just three on target.
Purse made a triple substitution in the final ten minutes, introducing Kevin Zefi, Kyle McDonagh and Oisin Denham in search of an equaliser, but it never materialised. The game was a physical affair, with Sligo picking up three yellow cards to St Patrick's one. Aidan Gabbidon and Carl McHugh were both cautioned for fouls, while substitute Kaiyne Woolery was booked for persistent infringement in stoppage time.
The defeat leaves Sligo looking nervously over their shoulder as the season enters its final phase. Their next challenge is a trip to face sixth-placed Shelbourne on October 9th.
