Shamrock Rovers First Division title push is still on course but only just after a 1-0 injury time victory over Cobh Ramblers at Tolka Park.
It was the homeside who created the opening chance of the match a mere three minutes in, Jamie Duffy and Ger O’Brien were involved in the build-up wide on the right before Duffy picked out Andy Myler.
The unmarked Myler raced into the path of the ball and angled a fierce volley goal ward but the ball ended up in the side-netting.
The home side were dominant and with seven minutes gone on the clock Cobh goalkeeper Packie Holden made his first save of the game after a sweeping counter-attack.
Rovers striker Ger Rowe provided the ammunition for Jamie Duffy who darted clear of the Cobh defence but his swirling volley was well held by Holden.
It took Cobh twelve minutes to mount their first shot on goal after the Rovers defence was tested by a free-kick from the boot of Alan Carey.
Carey floated the ball in the direction of Kevin Murray who rose unopposed before powering the ball wide of goal from ten yards.
At the opposite end Cobh defender Ken Coleman did well to scamper back and deny the lively O'Brien after a clever pass from Myler.
Cobh created another opening after a set-piece with nineteen minutes played when Alan Carey curled in a dipping free which Barry Murphy did well to save.
The remainder of the first half was a dour affair and the closest the home side came to scoring stemmed from a Andy Myler free which flew just over the crossbar.
Three minutes into the second half Shamrock Rovers almost stole a goal when David Cassidy swept in a dipping free-kick from just shy of the eighteen yard line.
However Cobh goalkeeper Holden made a terrific save before the Hoops huffed and puffed in the final half hour before Rovers were awarded an injury time penalty.
Alan Carey handled a David McGill header before Ger Rowe stepped up to rifle home the spot-kick.
