Shels seven points clear at top

St. Patrick’s Athletic 1 Shelbourne 3

Two quick fire goals late on moved Shelbourne seven points clear at the top of the eircom League Premier Division table.

Saints stunned Shels to take an eighth minute lead when Keith Fahey found the net, in off the underside of the crossbar, with a brilliantly hit free kick - their first league goal in five games.

Shels were level on 26 minutes, however, when Saints’ keeper Barry Ryan could only parry a shot from Glen Crowe and Gary O’Neill scooped home the rebound. Ryan then made a terrific save from Crowe to keep Saints level.

Shels defender Sean Dillon was lucky to stay on the pitch after a last-ditched foul on Mark Rooney a minute before the break.

Fahey came within inches of restoring Saints' lead on 56 minutes when hitting the Shels crossbar with another stinging shot.

Crowe got on the end of a Jamie Harris flick from Dillon’s cross to put Shels in front with an overhead kick on 84 minutes.

Before Saints could regroup a defensive blunder gifted Harris the ball and he shot past Ryan to seal the points.