Sligo Rovers 3 Shamrock Rovers 0:Sligo Rovers opened up an eight-point lead on champions Shamrock Rovers today with a thumping 3-0 home win over Stephen Kenny's side, who finished the game with nine men.

Rovers saw Chris Turner dismissed in the 50th minute for petulantly striking out an oppoenent, while Graham Gartland received two yellow cards, the second coming five minutes from time for a foul on Raffaele Cretaro.

By the time Turner was heading for the dressing room, however, Rovers were two down. Danny North opened the scoring in the 31st minute after he slotted easily beyond Reyaard Pieterse after a penetrating run from Mark Quigley.

Seven minutes later David Cawley doubled the lead with a long-range effort past the stranded Pieterse.

The game was effectively over when Turner walked but North made sure with 12 minutes to go with a tidy finish to bring his tally to 11 goals in 11 games.

After another draw at Cork City for St Patrick’s Athletic last night, Ian Baraclough’s side now lead by six at the top of the table.