Nine-man St Patrick's Athletic won three very valuable points in their battle against relegation, as they dented Cork's title ambitions at Turners Cross.
The vital goal was scored just after the hour when a Robbie Doyle cross was headed home at the far post by Darragh Maguire, whose effort from the endline went in off the body of Cork goalkeeper Michael Devine.
Pats were reduced to ten men when Vinny Perth was shown a second yellow card by referee Dave McKeon, for a foul on Roy O'Donovan.
As City pushed everybody forward in search of an equaliser, the Saints were reduced to nine men when Michael Foley was sent off in stopage time, for kicking the ball away having earlier received a yellow card.
So despite the home defeat Cork stay top after Derry's home loss to Waterford at the Brandywell.
