Philip Sheppard supplied a precise 72nd minute finish to grab all three points for a patchwork Monaghan United side against Sporting Fingal at Century Homes Park
But the Mons hero was 'keeper Brendan Kennedy who made a series of breathtaking saves.
Fingal, for whom midfielder Conan Byrne was outstanding, created enough chances to win several games but encountered Kennedy in unbeatable form.
In a game that supplied action from the kick-off to the final whistle, Eoin Lanigan struck the post for United in the opening minutes, while Byrne had two early chances for the visitors.
The inspirational midfielder then drove a vicious shot off the Monaghan crossbar in the 21st minute, and glided through the home defence only to have his shot blocked away by the legs of Kennedy soon after.
Monaghan had their own share of first half frustration, with Lanigan again being denied by the frame of the goal in the 34th minute.
Fingal continued their attacking flow in the second half, Robbie Doyle drawing another excellent save from Kennedy on the hour and the Monaghan ‘keeper excelling himself once more to deny Peter Hynes in the 65th minute.
United's Robbie Collins, barracked by the Fingal fans all night, enjoyed sweet revenge when he supplied the precision pass that gave Sheppard the chance to beat Steve Williams with a fine low drive.
A point-blank Kennedy save denied Doyle what looked a certain 80th minute equaliser. Hynes squandered an excellent free-kick opportunity in the final minutes to complete Fingal's frustrations.
Monaghan United: Kennedy; Maher, Mooney, Malone, Williamson; Collins (Reilly 83), Tierney, Byrne; Lanigan, Sheppard (Hanaphy 76), Hand (Meenan 63).
Sporting Fingal: Williams; Tyrell, Rogers, Collins, Kelly (McArdle 76); C Byrne, James, P Caffrey, Doyle; Hynes, Corcoran (Gannon 68).
Referee: S Grant (Dublin).
