Sligo Rovers earn vital derby win over Galway United in much-needed boost to relegation survival hopes
The visitors were under siege in the first half but played some great stuff in the second to get on top of Galway United, who stay eighth after a fourth successive defeat.
The Eamonn Deacy Park clash always felt like a game where one goal would be enough and that came from Hutchinson in the 68th minute when he drove home from Matthew Wolfe's pass.
The home team had settled better into the game.
Ed McCarthy had a big chance in the 16th minute after quick thinking from David Hurley put him clear but Sam Sargeant saved.
Patrick Hickey then had an even better chance after a wonderful cross from Jeannot Eusa but the American headed over.
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Even though they were often overpowered, Sligo played some nice football in patches and Cian Kavanagh almost gave them the lead from a spectacular bicycle kick.
They controlled the ball much better early in the second half and, playing in a deeper role, Owen Elding showed a good range of passing.
Eventually, Jad Hakiki was released on the right.
He carried, cut in and shot low and hard but Brendan Clarke did well to save with his legs.
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Esua was pushed further up the pitch for Galway to try to give them more power going forward — but the goal came in behind him as Sligo left-back Hutchinson bombed forward and collected Wolfe's ball to fire past Clarke.
It was a sign of how quickly things can change in this crazy league as Sligo had just had their biggest scare when Hickey hit the post after a quick break from the home team, who had not created much since half-time.
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And while a flurry of bookings were issued as tempers flared late on, Sligo were strong enough and calm enough to hold out for three huge points.
SUN STAR MAN
Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers)
GALWAY UNITED: Clarke 7; Esua 8, Slevin 7, Brouder 6, G Cunningham 7; McCarthy 7 (Walsh 81, 5), Byrne 7, Hickey 7, Hurley 6 (Kerrigan 90, 5), Burns 6 (Horgan 57, 5 (B Cunningham
90, 5)); Dyer 7.
SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant 8; Reynolds 7 (Lintott 74, 6), McElroy 7, Mahon 8, Hutchinson 8; Hakiki 8, Wolfe 7 (Lomboto 82, 6), Elding 8, Doyle-Hayes 7, Fitzgerald 7; Kavanagh 7.
1
It was a massive three points for John Russell's men to earn
REFEREE: D MacGraith (Mayo) 6.
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