Bird goal overturns Rovers

St Patrick's Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 0

Tony Bird was the St Pat's goal hero yet again as he struck his 13th of the season to earn Saints a sixth win on the spin.

New boy Gary McPhee robbed the ball from Pat Deans to set up Bird who blasted past Barry Ryan with 15 minutes to go.

The defeat was harsh on Rovers who enjoyed good spells in an enthralling match.

Rovers had the best chance of the first half on 33 minutes when Trevor Molloy twice had a shot from James Keddy's cross cleared off the line as Pat's defended frantically.

Stephen Grant then shaved the crossbar a minute before St. Pat's hit their winner.