Derry City’s Danny Mullen celebrates opening the scoring at the Brandywell
A Danny Mullen brace and Gavin Whyte’s goal ensured manager Tiernan Lynch’s side made it back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
The win moved the City just three points behind leaders Drogheda United.
Rovers came close to taking the lead on eight minutes as Owen Elding’s left-footed strike 20 yards flashed just wide.
Derry went close themselves moments later as Micahel Duffy’s left-wing centre found Whyte, but the midfielder’s side-footed effort from 12 yards was straight at Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.
The home side took the lead on 15 minutes as Whyte’s initial strike was blocked by Gareth McElroy and the alert Mullen was on hand to blast home past Sargeant.
Derry were inches away from doubling their advantage as Sam Todd’s clip pass over the top released Duffy, who skipped inside and cut back onto his left foot, but his shot was tipped around the post by Sargeant.
The Foylesiders doubled their lead in spectacular fashion as Whyte (above) picked the ball up inside his own half, before running at the Rovers back-line, he coolly showed great pace to run away from Jake Doyle-Hayes before drilling home his second goal in as many games.
Just before the break Rovers went close to pulling a goal back but Jad Hakiki’s long-range strike, which had Maher struggling, flew just wide.
Derry all but ended the contest 55 seconds into the second half as Duffy’s teasing left-wing free-kick found Mullen at the near post and he made no mistake, powerfully heading home past Sargeant.
In-form winger Duffy went close to grabbing a fourth just after the hour mark when he broke clear down the left, but his shot on the angle was kept out by Sargeant, the keeper booting the ball around his post.
City substitute Liam Boyce should have netted on 80 minutes when fellow substitute Sean Patton broke clear down the left before cutting the ball back, but the former Hearts frontman scooped the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
In the closing stages, Rovers substitutes Stephen Mallon and Francely Lomboto had good opportunities to score, but they failed to test Maher on both occasions.
Next up for Derry is a trip to Waterford this Friday, April 25.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce (Hayden Cann 74), Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt, Sam Todd; Carl Winchester, Robbie Benson (Adam O’Reilly 64), Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce 64; Dom Thomas, Daniel Mullen (Sean Patton 74), Michael Duffy (Paul McMullan 81).
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Conor Reynolds (Daire Patton 60), John Mahon, Gareth McElroy, Reece Hutchinson; Owen Elding, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Stephen Mallon 60), Will Fitzgerald (Oskar Van Huttum 84); Jad Hakiki (Matty Wolfe 60); Cian Kavanagh (Francely Lomboto 60).
Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).
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