Supersub Dipo Akinyemi netted with his very first touch late on as Derry City took all three points from a tepid encounter with Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Barry Cotter had opened the scoring midway through the first half but Shels returned fire as John Martin levelled things up shorlty after the break.
Akinyemi was to have the final say, however, volleying the ball crisply past Wessel Speel after Shelbourne failed to clear their lines from a free kick into the box.
The first chance fell to Shelbourne defender Sam Bone in the opening minutes as he connected with a corner but his header from close range was straight at Edward Beach.
And the home side's early dominance continued as a loose touch from Carl Winchester almost sent Harry Wood clear and the captain was booked for a nip on the heels of the winger.
Derry grew into the game, however, and were somewhat controversially awarded a corner when midfielder Adam O’Reilly’s low drive cleared the post.
Shels should have defended the set-piece better, however, and the could only clear the ball to Barry Cotter, the wing-back controlling the ball and smashing it high into the corner of the net.
Shels came back into the game and John Martin nodded an Evan Caffrey cross behind before Kerr McInroy saw his scissor kick easily clear the crossbar.
The Reds continued to create and Caffrey saw a shot from a tight angle pushed away by Beach while, at the other end, Josh Thomas’ long range effort was well-saved by Wessel Speel.
Thomas had another chance moment later as he was played inside by Cotter but again Speel was equal to his well-struck effort.
But Shels came out with renewed intent after the break and levelled inside eight minutes as striker John Martin turned home Wood’s cross from close range.
Bone could have completed the turnaround when he found space at the back post to connect with a corner but he could not adjust his feet quickly enough to steer the ball on target.
Adam O’Reilly put a free kick well over before more good work from Shelbourne saw Evan Caffrey’s low cross turned goalward by Wood, but Beach got down smartly to save.
That proved to be the turning point as Akinyemi replaced Thomas and netted with his first touch on the volley after Shels once again fell asleep from a set piece.
Fellow sub James Olayinka could have doubled the lead moments later as a loose ball fell to him in the box he scooped his shot high and wide of the goal.
Akinyemi could have settled in the final moments as he broke down the right hand side, cut inside and shot low at Speel.
Derry kept their composure, however, and closed out the game to take a much-needed victory home from Drumcondra.
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Evan Caffrey (Seán Gannon 75), Paddy Barrett, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge; Kerr McInroy (Ali Coote 65), Jack Henry-Francis (Rodrido Freitas 75), JJ Lunney; Harry Wood, Daniel Kelly (Will Jarvis 46), John Martin (Seán Boyd 81).
Derry City: Edward Beach; Barry Cottter (Henry Rylah 75), Conor Barr, Patrick McClean, Jamie Stott,Brandon Fleming; Adam O’Reilly (James Olayinka 64); Carl Wichester, Ben Doherty (Cameron Dummigan 64); James Clarke (Darragh Markey 64), Josh Thomas (Afolabi Akinyemi 70).
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.
