Derry C 1 Sligo Rovers 2:AN 86TH-MINUTE strike from Sligo striker Mark Quigley opened up a seven-point cushion at the summit following this win at the Brandywell last night.

And while the Bit O’Red left it late, they were deserving of the victory having owned the ball for long spells and dominated the clear-cut scoring chances.

Quigley and Ross Gaynor both missed scoring chances during the opening period while Derry failed to force Sligo’s Gary Rogers into a serious save.

Following the change of ends, the home side appeared to step up a gear. But it was Derry custodian Gerard Doherty who pulled off an outstanding save when tipping Quigley’s effort over his crossbar.

However the Derry ’keeper then misjudged the flight of David Cawley’s long range shot to hand Sligo the lead on 55 minutes.

Derry managed to equalise in the 65th minute when Davy McDaid dinked the ball over the head of the advancing Rogers.

But with five minutes remaining, Derry were punished again for sloppy defending.

Crawley gained possession and found Romuald Boco who set up Quigley to lash the ball home from 10 yards for the winner.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, McBride, S McEleney, McCaffrey; P McEleney, Higgins, Molloy, McDaid; Morrison, Murphy (Brolly, 82 mins).

SLIGO ROVERS: Rogers; Keane (Conneely, 40 mins), Peers, McGuinness, Gaynor; Ndo, Ventre (Dillon, 85 mins), Cawley, Boco; Quigley, Cretaro (Millieon, 72 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).