Sligo firmly in the driving seat

Sligo Rovers take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final after downing Portadown on Monday evening.

The Airtricity League entertainers racked up the healthy advantage courtesy of goals from John Dillon and John Russell, before substitute Rafael Cretaro rounded things off against the under-strength visitors at the Showgrounds.

The Armagh side left several men out ahead of Saturday's Co-Operative Insurance Cup final and were made to pay from early on, with Sligo going in front some 20 minutes in.

David Miskelly denied Matthew Blinkhorn after he connected with Iarfhlaith Davoren's left wing cross. However, the loose ball fell for Dillon and he added to his weekend double against Drogheda United with a simple finish.

Portadown then had a goal disallowed as Richard Leckey was adjudged to have committed a foul on Gavin Peers before he beat Ciaran Kelly in the Sligo net.

Aaron Greene and Eoin Doyle both went close to a second for the Bit O' Red before half-time, while Portadown’s Sean Mackle was denied by Kelly in the second period.

Mackle’s side then fell further behind from a Sligo break as Greene weaved his way past two defenders before squaring for Russell to finish to an empty net.

Russell was then the provider for the third goal as Cretaro bagged his first since returning to the club from Bohemians. He fired low into the net from Russell’s cross.