Mata double takes Sligo Rovers into third

League of Ireland Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 3 Drogheda 1

Sligo Rovers jumped into third place in the Premier Division after a somewhat nervy win over Drogheda United at the Showgrounds.

Max Mata's double had the Bit O'Red ahead by two at half-time, but John Russell's side did have to rely on several smart saves from goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

Andrew Quinn's 58th-minute goal had Drogs back in this one, but Rovers, assisted by further McGinty stops, held on and finally saw off the visitors late on when Wilson Waweru's back-heeled finish secured the points for the Connacht side.

Sligo found the going tough against Drogheda last year, failing to beat the Louthmen in five attempts and despite trailing by two at the break, it was the visitors who created more chances.

McGinty pulled off a number of impressive stops throughout both halves. The first of these coming three minutes in when the Oxford loanee denied Frantz Pierrot, while the same man scrambled to keep out Quinn 60 seconds later.

Sligo had a shout for a penalty on the quarter hour when Andrew Wogan clumsily chopped down Mata inside his area. Referee Eoghan O'Shea deliberated before deciding against awarding the spot-kick.

The hosts hadn't scored in front of their own faithful since September last year, opening up a new club record of five Showgrounds outings without a goal.

Mata ended that run on 21 minutes when he slid in at the front post to meet Ellis Chapman's cross for his third goal of the year. While the New Zealander netted in similar fashion five minutes later, converting JR Wilson's ball cross after impressive work in the build-up between Simon Power and Conor Malley.

Kevin Doherty's side finished the half on the front foot but again, their luck was out.