Shelbourne's title defence continues to flounder despite an Ali Coote moment of magic to grab a point against Cork City.
The relegation-threatened Leesiders were dominant for long spells until Seani Maguire found the net before the hour mark.
But City haven’t beaten their Dublin rivals since 2013, and haven’t kept a clean sheet all season. Those records remained after Coote’s sublime finish in front of 2,821 fans at Turner’s Cross.
Shels move up a spot to fifth for the mid-season break. Ninth-placed City edge a point above bottom side Sligo Rovers.
Ger Nash’s programme notes declared the City hotseat as "the biggest job in the League of Ireland" ahead of his first home game in charge. The 38-year-old welcomed back Maguire for his first start in almost three months.
Despite Seán Gannon and Paddy Barrett’s returns, Damien Duff opted for an unchanged starting XI.
Nash was up and down the steps of the Derrynane Road Stand as he watched his team control the opening half.
Cathal O’Sullivan and Milan Mbeng showed their trickery by nutmegging defenders. Evan McLaughlin ran the show in midfield alongside Seán Murray. Maguire had an early penalty appeal fall on deaf ears.
Freddie Anderson headed a couple of corners towards goal. However, his best attempt saw Josh Fitzpatrick get in the way of the ball.
In the 27th minute, Fitzpatrick battled to tee up McLaughlin for a dipping long-range strike. Shels were breathing a hefty sigh of relief as it clipped the crossbar on its way over.
Then, a rehearsed free-kick routine from McLaughlin saw Charlie Lyons denied at the front post by stand-in keeper Lorcan Healy.
Maguire had one shot blocked by Kameron Ledwidge before stabbing at another effort, which he should’ve taken on his left.
Play was delayed due to a drone hovering over Turner’s Cross before Shels’ best chance of the half arrived. John Martin’s hard work set up John O’Sullivan, but Lyons headed his shot away to safety.
It was Shels’ only shot against City’s 11 in the first half.
Duff showed his displeasure with three half-time substitutions. Barrett and James Norris were called upon to bolster their defence. Mipo Odubeko came on to partner Martin up front with Tyreke Wilson, John O’Sullivan and Harry Wood all making way.
The changes gave Shels a foothold as Odubeko got off a couple of scruffy shots.
But City had their deserved goal in the 57th minute.
Fitzpatrick won the ball from a loose Odubeko touch. Mbeng went on a charge down the right and stood up a brilliant cross for Maguire to rise above Mark Coyle to head home. A third goal of the season for the ex-Ireland international.
Odubeko couldn’t find the target with a free header, but Shels were level by the 71st minute.
Odubeko and Coyle were involved, but the goal was all about Coote. The substitute turned into space on the edge of the box before drilling a perfect low finish into the net via the far post.
Coote could’ve doubled his account within a minute, but for a brave Lyons block.
Chances were few and far between for a finish. But the hosts had a cracking opportunity on 90 minutes when Rio Shipston’s fierce shot was palmed away by Healy.
Cork City: Tein Troost; Milan Mbeng, Freddie Anderson, Charlie Lyons, Darragh Crowley; Cathal O’Sullivan (Alex Nolan 89), Seán Murray (Rio Shipston 73), Evan McLaughlin, Josh Fitzpatrick (Malik Dijksteel 73); Seani Maguire (Greg Bolger 66), Djenairo Daniels.
Shelbourne: Lorcan Healy; Mark Coyle, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson (Paddy Barrett 46); John O’Sullivan (James Norris 46), JJ Lunney, Kerr McInroy, Evan Caffrey; Ellis Chapman (Ali Coote 65), Harry Wood (Mipo Odubeko 46); John Martin (Daniel Kelly 82).
Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).
