Sligo Rovers humiliated by Drogheda United in Weavers Park ...

In a night to forget, and that’s putting it mildly, Rovers were second best as Drogheda put the Bit O’Red to the sword, with a win that takes them off the bottom of the table.

Having exited the FAI Cup last weekend at the hands of First Division side UCD, Ryan Casey had promised a reaction from the Bit O’Red.

Kailin Barlow came into the team, with Stephen Mallon missing through injury and Simon Power only fit enough to make the bench.

Having won five of their six league games since the mid-season break, John Russell’s side were hopeful of another win which could potentially see them move up to third in the table.

But, Drogheda have proved to be a different animal in recent weeks, with their summer signings proving to be making a huge difference.

Douglas James Taylor has made a huge impact for Kevin Doherty’s side, with two league goals and a hat-trick in the FAI Cup since joining.

Russell’s men have been slow starters in games, but have generally come into their own after 15-20 minutes.

It’s been the case in the last few league games, but Friday night Rovers looked well off colour.

A disastrous opening ten minutes cost the Bit O’Red dearly, as the home side sauntered into a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes on the clock.

In a complete rout, Drogheda were 3-0 ahead against a sorry Sligo Rovers side who were struggling to make a mark on this game.

Douglas James Taylor got the scoring underway after four minutes when he tapped in from a corner, with Ed McGinty pulling off a great save six minutes later to deny Drogheda a second.

It was 2-0 on 11 minutes when Andrew Quinn found the net from a corner, and Rovers were honestly struggling to pick themselves up.

It was all Drogheda, who continued to pepper the Rovers goal, taking all of their chances and limiting Rovers to none.

Frantz Pierrot made it 3-0 after 37 minutes with a header from a free, and it was game over, to be truthful at this stage.

It was always going to be a difficult second-half, particularly when trailing 3-0.

And Drogheda stunned Rovers after half-time, adding four further goals to pick up an important win as they try to avoid the drop.

But, the Louth men don’t look like a team at the bottom end of the table in their current form.

The home side had a swagger about them as they piled further misery on the Bit O’Red.

Pierrot, Conor Kane, Elicha Ahui and Adam Foley added further goals, to compound an utterly miserable night for a Sligo Rovers side who will now need a massive reaction.

Despite that horror show, Rovers are still fourth in the table, and take on third place Waterford at The Showgrounds next week.

Drogheda: Luke Dennison, Elicha Ahui, Andrew Quinn, Conor Kane, David Webster (Jack Keaney, 75), Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey, 41), Luke Heeney, Ryan Brennan (Gary Deegan, 75), James Bolger, Douglas James Taylor (Adam Foley, 75), Frantz Pierrot.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett (Jack Henry Francis, 64), Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson, Kailin Barlow (Simon Power, 64), Ellis Chapman (Daire Patton, 71), Connor Malley (Luke Pearce, 63), Niall Morahan, WIll Fitzgerald (Owen Elding, 63), Wilson Waweru.

Referee: Rob Harvey.