Cork city retained outright leadership in the Premier Division with a convincing 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers at the Show grounds on Saturday night. A goal in each half was sufficient to see off the challenge of a disappointing Sligo who managed just one shot on target over the entire 90 minutes.

High-flying City made the running right from the start and a spectacular free-kick from over 35 yards by Mark Herrick which crashed against the crossbar in the very first minute was a sign of things to come.

Jason Kabia and Gerry Dobbs wasted glorious opportunities as Cork established a firm grip on the exchanges. It came as no surprise when their pressure finally paid off three minutes before the interval. This time, Herrick measured his shot to perfection dispatching a brilliantly struck 25 yard free-kick all the way to the roof of the net.

John Caulfield, who replaced the ineffective Kabia after 38 minutes, grabbed Cork's second in the 49th minute. Greg O'Halloran, fresh from his duties with the Irish youth team, carved out the opening with a pinpoint cross which Caulfield finished in style.

The substitute almost got a second goal after 68 minutes, but his close-range effort was blocked on the line.

Sligo's hopes of salvaging anything from the occasion were crushed when winger Steve Jones was sent off for a crude challenge on Ollie Cahill in the 72nd minute.

SLIGO ROVERS: Boswell; Callaghan, Hutchinson, Reid, Sheridan, Hetherston, Jones, Shannon, Flannery, Ogden, Rowlands. Subs: Hallows and Torino for Shannon and Flannery, 72 mins.

CORK CITY: Mooney; O'Halloran, Barry-Murphy, Hill, Daly, Freyne, Cahill, FLanagan, Dobbs, Herrick, Kabia. Sub: Caulfield for Kabia, 38 mins.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).