Derry City 1 Sligo Rovers 2:SLIGO ROVERS moved a big step closer to Premier Division safety following this victory over an understrength Derry City at the Brandywell last night.

Minus all four recognised strikers, Derry teenagers Davy McDaid and Aaron Nash led the attack and while McDaid equalised in the first half, the home side never troubled Sligo goalkeeper Ciarán Kelly after the break.

Derry hopes of a place in next season’s Europa League are also in doubt as their financial problems continue.

Sligo got off to the best possible start and it was a goal of Derry’s own making. Golakeeper Ger Doherty cleared and when the ball was returned off the head of Joe Kendrick the home defence allowed it to bounce and Rafael Cretaro nipped in to drive the ball to the net.

Derry struck back with Nash heading a Gareth McGlynn free off the upright before they equalised in the 15th minute.

McGlynn weaved his way past three Sligo defenders, set-up McDaid and the teenager sent a looping shot to the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Derry should have moved into the driving seat in the 23rd minute. A probing cross from the right by McGlynn caught out the defence but as Nash raced in he failed to get the vital touch.

After the break Sligo regained the initiative when Romauld Boco netted a magnificent goal from a 20-yard free-kick after Martyn had upended Cretaro. The Benin international curled the ball over the wall to find the top corner of the net.

Derry continued to struggle in the front line and Boco went close in the 78th minute, his low shot well saved by Doherty at the expense of a corner.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, O’Brien, Gray (Hutton 44 mins.), McClean; McGlynn, Molloy, Martyn (Higgins, 80) Kearney (Harkin, 75) ; McDaid, Nash.

SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Ventre, Peers, Keane, Kendrick; Cash, O’Grady, Boco, Doyle; Cretaro, Blinkhorn.

Referee: D Tomney ( Dublin ).