Sligo Rovers returned to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Galway United in the Connacht derby at The Showgrounds.

First half goals from Joseph Ndo and John Dillon pushed the home side into a commanding half-time lead, and Padraig Amond wrapped up the win ten minutes into the second half by turning Ndo's cross to the net.

The hosts were forced to spend 40 minutes of the second half with ten men after captain Danny Ventre was harshly sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Sligo welcomed Gavin Peers back from suspension, but injury robbed them of strikers Lee McEvilly and Matthew Blinkhorn, while Alan Keane was banned.

Galway were minus midfielder Stephen O'Donnell.

Rovers opened the scoring with a spectacular finish from Joseph Ndo on 25 minutes. The former Cameroon international picked up a pass from Iarfhlaith Davoren and skillfully made space for himself before curling a shot into the bottom corner.

Barry Ryan had to be sharp to prevent John Dillon reaching Eoin Doyle's deep cross on 36 minutes, but there was little he could do to stop the winger grabbing Rovers' second goal just before the break.

Again the attack sprung from the left-hand side, with Dillon picking up possession and cutting inside before bending a brilliant shot past Ryan and in off the far post.

Galway boss Sean Connor made a change just before this, with Thomas Heary replacing striker Anto Flood, but the hosts were good value for their half-time advantage.

But the home side were down to ten shortly after the restart. Danny Ventre's tackle was a little late on Derek O'Brien, but referee Padraig Sutton deemed it a yellow card offence, and, with the Rovers captain also booked for a similar tackle in the first half, Ventre was sent for an early shower.

The home fans were outraged by the decision, with assistant boss Gerry Carr sent to the stands for his reaction.

But they were cheering once again five minutes later, when Ndo drilled a ball across the face of goal for top-scorer Padraig Amond to finish.

Sligo Rovers: Brush, Ventre, Peers, Lauchlan, Davoren, Doyle, Russell, Ryan, Dillon (McCabe 64), Ndo, Amond (McGoldrick 87).

Galway United: Barry Ryan, Conneely, MacKenzie, Meynell, Sinnott, Bobby Ryan (King 66), Curran, Foley, O'Brien (Walsh 72), Flood (Heary 40), Sheppard.

Referee: P Sutton.