Glen Fitzpatrick put Shelbourne five points clear at the top of the Eircom Premier Division table as his third goal of the season gave Shels' a 1-0 victory over Derry at Tolka Park.
Strike partner Jason Byrne played a super ball through to Fitzpatrick who calmly shot past Patrick Jennings.
Derry, without a win in four games, had started well and Sean Hargan came close early on with Jim Crawford having to make a telling block. However Shelbourne imposed themselves on the game more in the second half and in they end they ran out deserved winners.
St Patrick's 0-2 Drogheda United
Goals from Barry Molloy and Declan O’Brien moved Drogheda back up to third place in the table as St Patrick's troubles deepened with this 2-0 defeat.
Drogheda deservedly went in front five minutes before the break when their pressure told on the St Patrick's goal. John Lester crossed and Molloy steered the ball home.
Gary Rogers made a super stop to keep out an Aidan O’Keeffe shot on 51 minutes to prevent an equaliser. That proved crucial as O’Brien sealed the win with Drogheda’s second goal ten minutes later.
Waterford United 0-1 Bohemians
A fortuitous goal from Tony Grant ended Bohemians' seven match run without a victory as they frustrated Waterford at the RSC.
The goal came on 23 minutes when Blues' keeper Dan Connor’s attempted clearance struck the outstretched leg of the in-coming Grant and the ball flew into the net.
Keeper Shay Kelly then proved to be the star man for Bohemians with a string of top stops from Kevin Waters, Alan Reynolds, Vinny Sullivan.
Cork City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Cork were left to rue wasted opportunities as Shamrock Rovers came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw courtesy of a super equaliser through Stephen Grant.
A cracking game saw the sides swap the game's only goals inside the first quarter. City took the lead on 15 minutes when Kevin Doyle did well to cross for Billy Woods who scored with a looping header.
Grant then levelled for Rovers with a brilliant strike ten minutes later. Showing good skill, Grant controlled Mark O’Brien’s cross before curling a right-foot shot past Michael Devine.
Filed by Rob Wright
