Stephen Kenny has vowed that he will remain at the Brandywell

Crisis-hit Derry City's hopes of qualifying for Europe suffered another massive blow as they crashed to a fifth successive League of Ireland defeat.

Cork are now five points ahead of Derry in the third European spot after beating Shamrock Rovers 2-1 on Tuesday.

Rafael Cretaro ran unchallenged through the Derry defence to put Sligo ahead after 6 minutes.

David McDaid levelled on 15 but Benin international Romauld Boco hit the Sligo winner on 61 minutes.

Derry boss Stephen Kenny gave McDaid his first League of Ireland start for the club alongside another youngster Aaron Nash.

Injuries and illness had robbed Derry of all their four regular strikers Mark Farren, Sammy Morrow, Thomas Stewart and Tam McManus.

The club also went into the game amid their well-publicised current financial woes which has led to players not receiving their wages on a number of occasions in recent months.

Manager Kenny has vowed to remain at the Brandywell despite the club's current difficulties but his understrength side appeared to be lacking morale in Tuesday's contest - especially during the second half.

Cretaro, whose goal at the Brandywell back in April ended Derry's unbeaten start to the campaign, tormented the Candystripes again in the sixth minute by scoring Sligo's opener.

Makeshift striker McDaid levelled for Derry nine minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box after being set up by Gareth McGlynn.

However, Boco's second-half free-kick was enough to earn Rovers all three points.

Given Sligo's second-half dominance, they were full value for their victory.

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