Roberts goal keeps Shels faint title dream alive

Shamrock Rovers 0 Shelbourne 1

Mark Roberts' fifth goal of the season earned Shels a vital win to keep the title race alive.

A quick throw from Owen Heary picked out Richie Baker, and his cross was turned past Tony O'Dowd by Roberts.

Wes Hoolahan almost doubled the winning margin with an audacious chip that came back off the crossbar.

Rovers rallied late on and Shels keeper Steve Williams made a stunning save to deprive Noel Hunt of an equaliser on 82 minutes.

In fact Rovers had more of the chances before the break but it was Shels who missed the best two of them with Wes Hoolahan blazing over while Roberts' header forced a terrific stop from O'Dowd.

Rovers remained the better side into the second half and skipper Terry Palmer had a header cleared off the line by Baker while Stephen Gough drilled a shot narrowly wide.