UCD 1 Sligo R 2:TWO STUNNING, early second-half goals from Matthew Blinkhorn and Romauld Boco enabled FAI Ford Cup finalists Sligo Rovers to keep up their relentless pursuit for a place in next season's Europa League with a narrow victory in an entertaining clash at the Belfield Bowl last night.

The Connacht men had an early chance when Benin international Boco supplied a low cross from the right to allow midfielder John Russell to get in a left-foot shot from the edge of the box well saved by goalkeeper Billy Brennan.

College had a chance to open their account on 21 minutes when midfielder Greg Bolger had a long-range effort comfortably taken by goalkeeper Ciarán Kelly.

Sligo were grateful to Kelly on the half hour when he got down at the edge of his box to block a hurried shot from Paul O’Conor after Ciarán Kilduff and Robbie Creevy had carved open the defence.

Rovers opened the second half with two goals in an amazing three-minute spell. With just 45 seconds gone a cross by Boco on the right was powerfully headed home by striker Blinkhorn from close range.

Two minutes Joseph Ndo played a glorious ball over a static defence for Boco to lob the advancing Brennan.

College reduced the lead on 81 minutes when a poor clearance by Kelly rebounded off Kilduff’s back and into the net.

UCD: Brennan; Harding, M Kelly, E McMillan, Shortall; O’Conor (Wilson 57), Bolger (Roche 80), Creevy, Rusk (Mulhall 67); D McMillan; Kilduff.

SLIGO ROVERS: C Kelly; Keane, Peers, Foran, Davoran; Boco, Russell, Ryan, Ndo, McCabe (Dillon 73); Blinkhorn (Doyle 82).

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).