Frank Liivak and Aidan Keena score in gritty home win

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Sligo Rovers Drogheda United 2 0

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LIGO Rovers have played better this season – and won – so that is why last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat of Drogheda United felt more than a little underwhelming.

Then again, imagine the feeling had Rovers lost against opponents third from bottom in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division standings? Given the gap between fifth-placed Rovers and fourth-placed St Patrick’s Athletic, every win counts right now. While the dream of Europe is fading, it is far from being mathematically impossible.

So, why not savour this latest win? conversion made it 2-0.

Another composed defensive performance yielded an eighth clean sheet (from 28 games).

This was a defensive unit that saw recent signing Cameron Evans make his first start – he came in for the injured Shane Blaney – and even a defensive reshuffle in the second-half, with Colm Horgan replacing Evans and Lewis Banks going to centre-back alongside Nando Pijnaker, didn’t weaken Rovers’ defensive resolve. Goalkeeper Luke McNicholas made several fine saves. Goalscorer Aidan Keena impressed, so too Frank Liivak (chiefly in the first-half), centre-back Nando Pijnaker and full-back Paddy Kirk.

But Rovers should be winning games like this and with more comfort – in between their goals, a period of 67 minutes or so – Rovers had only one goal as a cushion.