Free-scoring Sligo Rovers moved up to third place in the Airtricity League Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over UCD at the Showgrounds.

Superb defending by the students denied John Dillon after seven minutes and Derek Foran fared no better in the 16th minute following a Joseph Ndo corner. The students were playing well within themselves at that stage before Paul Cooke’s side changed the course of the game as half-time approached.

UCD played some attractive football and showed further strength in defence on into the opening half before O’Grady’s 42nd minute strike, from a clever ball by Romauld Boco, which gave UCD keeper Gerard Barron no chance.

The students were caught off guard again two minutes later when Pádraig Amond rattled the net following a long kick out from goalkeeper John Gibson. That left Martin Russell’s side with an uphill battle in the second half.

Keith Ward and Chris Mulhall went close for the visitors early in the second half but the third arrived in the 76th minute when substitute Matthew Blinkhorn saw his shot deflected past Barron, before Derek Foran wrapped up the scoring with a headed fourth in the closing stages.

Rovers have now scored 43 goals in their 26 league games, a figure matched only by First Division leaders Derry City. They also have the top scorer across both divisions in Padraig Amond, who helped himself to his 17th of the season with his side’s second on Saturday. It was Rovers’ fourth league win on the bounce and boss Paul Cook believes that everything is going in his side’s favour at the moment. “A lot of things are going our way. We’re scoring at the right time and, at the minute, things are going for us and when they are, I think you have got to push it as far as you can,” Cook said. “But I must pay a big compliment to my players, they have been terrific.” Rovers are still involved in all three domestic competitions, with an EA Sports Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers to come tomorrow evening.

UCD stay in seventh position in the table and boss Martin Russell says his side need to learn from Saturday’s defeat. “The two goals just before halftime were a big….and we have to learn a lesson from it,” he said.

“The players are committed to improving their game so that’s what we are going to try to do between now and the end of the season.”

UCD boss Russell also commented: “Sligo was worthy winners, they are a credit to Paul. He has them playing well. We didn’t play well tonight. We were missing a few players but we will now look at the bigger picture.

“When you are beaten by a better team you have got to hold your hands up but our players are committed to improving their game,” said Russell.

UCD suffered further disappointment after Bray and Galway United both took wins in their weekend matches.

SLIGO – Gibson, Keane, Lauchlan, Foran, Davoren, McCabe, O’Grady, Boco, Dillon (Doyle 77), Ndo (Ventre 70), Amond (Blinkhorn 70).

UCD – Barron, P O’Connor, McMillan, Boyle, Nangle (Leahy 73), Wilson (Moore 64), Roche (Rusk 73), Creevy, Ward, Mulhall, Kilduff.

REF – D McKeon (Meath).