Connacht SFC Quarter-final: On six occasions since 1978, London have failed to defeat Sligo in the Connacht Championship.

And yesterday many of their supporters in the crowd of 2,000 had hoped the jinx was about to be broken with the team not only holding the visitors to a point at the interval but also producing a brand of play not readily associated with London teams.

But the breakthrough for Sligo came seven minutes into the second half when the London defence lost concentration to allow John McPartland through for a decisive goal after receiving a pass from Eamonn O'Hara.

Three minutes later McPartland struck again with a second goal to give Sligo an eight-point lead. Although the losers battled to make up lost ground, their hopes were extinguished nine minutes from the end when man-of-the-match O'Hara sealed victory with a spectacular goal.

Short two of their original line-out - Michael McNamara and Mark Breheny - Sligo, judged on this performance, could be poised to make an impact in the Connacht Championship.

Their attack proved their strongest point, with Dessie Sloyan, Gerry McGowan and O'Hara in outstanding form. Defensively there were few apparent weaknesses, especially in the full-back line .

The one area where London dominated was midfield, where Senan Hehir and Kevin Waldron maintained the high standard set in the opening minutes. Others to impress were John Niblock, Karl Scanlon and JP O'Donnell.

SLIGO: J Curran; P Gallagher, N Carew, P Naughton (0-2); N Maguire, N Clancy, D Durkan; P Durkan (0-2), P Doohan (0-1); J McPartland (2-0), G Maye, E O'Hara (1-1); D Sloyan (0-3), S Davey, G McGowan (0-1). Subs: P Taylor (0-1) for G Maye, C O'Neill for G McGowan, J Davey for E O'Hara, M Langan for N Clancy.

LONDON: S Walls; C Kissane, K Scanlon, H Cunningham; J Carmody, J Niblock, P McGonigley; K Waldron, S Hehir; C McCarthy, P Hehir (0-4), P Connolly; JP O'Donnell (0-2), C Foody (0-3), C Browne. Subs: G Crawford for C McCarthy, O Fitzgerald for C Browne.

Referee: D McGoldrick (Meath).