A last-gasp winner from Irish international striker Jason Byrne gave Shelbourne a vital 1-0 win over fellow league hopefuls Derry City.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges with Ciaran Martyn forcing a fine save from Dean Delaney on ten minutes.
Kevin McHugh called Delaney into action on 18 minutes before he fired just wide of the left post on 36 minutes, as the Candystripes forced Shels back for long periods.
Derry started the started the second half in much the same way as they ended the first - on top. Pat McCourt was tormenting the Shelbourne defence and his 60th minute corner caused major problems in the Shels penalty area before it was just hit narrowly wide by Gary Beckett.
However, Shelbourne forced their way into the match after the hour mark and went close through Owen Heary and Joseph Ndo before Byrne found a way through late on when the ball fell to him in the penalty area and he slotted it home to send the home crowd into raptures.
The win sees Shelbourne leapfrog both Derry and Cork City in the league table and leaves them just a single point behind leaders Drogheda.