Sligo Rovers 1 - St Patrick's Athletic 0Sligo Rovers' second win in the space of six days has further boosted the Bit O'Red's survival hopes as an heroic performance from the relegation-threatened side saw them beat St Patrick's Athletic at the Showgrounds. Jad Hakiki's 19th minute strike proved to be enough for Rovers who moved three points clear of the play-off spot following a thrilling encounter in the north west. With two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five in all competitions, Rovers made two switches from the starting team who overcame Galway United in an absorbing Connacht derby five nights ago. Midfielders Ryan O'Kane and Seb Quirk were left out of the match day squad with illness and injury respectively, with Monday's match winner Cian Kavanagh and midfielder Ciaron Harkin coming in for Rovers' penultimate home game of the year. In the far corner, the division's form team with 11 points gathered from a possible fifteen in their last five outings, Pat's named an unchanged team to the one which put basement side Cork City to the sword earlier this week. With the win now guaranteeing Sligo avoid a last placed finish, they did have to deal with the best of the very early chances in what was a thoroughly absorbing opening '45. Rovers' Gareth McElroy, so impressive in this week's derby, did nod an effort from a Will Fitzgerald cross straight at Joseph Anang in the Pat's nets 90 seconds in. But the next two efforts arrived at the home end as Joe Redmond's header drifted narrowly over Sligo goalkeeper Sam Sargeant's crossbar on four minutes. This, before former Sligo wideman Simon Power went close for the visitors. A stand out performer in Rovers' last two games, the in-form Hakiki struck for the opener on 19 minutes. The Dubliner's initial strike, from a Paddy McClean cross, bounced off the floor in front of Anang who could only push the ball back into the path of Hakiki. The Republic of Ireland underage international left with a simple finish as he cannoned the ball into the roof of the Saints' net from close range for his sixth of the season. Stephen Kenny's charges did threaten again before the break. Power's right footed set piece from the centre of goal took a deflection off the Sligo wall as the ball dribbled wide of Sargeant's post on 28 minutes. Spurs-bound teen Mason Melia then teed up Kian Leavy whose shot towards the bottom corner from 19 yards out, was well held by Sargeant. John Russell's men had to deal with some early pressure at the start of the second half, but they fashioned the first real opportunity after the re-start. Trojan work from full back Edwin Agbaje resulted in the Offaly man finding Fitzgerald whose shot on the spin inside the area flew past the Pat's post as the effort took a nick off Jamie Lennon to force the corner. McClean's header from the resulting set-piece lacked the power to worry Anang. Melia then passed up a wonderful chance to level the score on the hour. McElroy's poor pass gifted possession to the 18-year-old who made a total mess of the opportunity as he wastefully rolled the ball to the grateful Sargeant. The FAI Cup semi-finalists returned to the well again on 67 minutes when the ball bounced around the Sligo area but Tom Grivosti volleyed wide. McElroy and Owen Elding both had chances as Rovers looked to put this one to bed before time. Sargeant pulled off an heroic two-handed stop at full stretch to deny Redmond's powerful drive five from the end during a hectic closing period in which Pat's did have the ball in the net. The assistant referee cutting Pat's joy short as he raised the flag for offside. © rte.ie
