Defence finally breached but Lilies go top

Dundalk’s defence was finally breached but a goal from the most unlikely of sources ensured they went top of the table following victory over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park last night.

Robbie Benson gave Stephen Kenny’s side an early second half lead before a Kevin Horgan howler gifted Chris Shields his first league goal in 1,636 days since scoring against Sligo in August 2013.

The Lilywhites had played 149 league games since then with Shields involved in 123 of them but his fortuitous 62nd minute strike proved the difference on a night when Rovers’ goalkeeping problems were exposed once again.