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Richie Towell scored a hat-trick as Dundalk got back to winning ways to beat Derry City 3-0 at Oriel Park and regain second place in the Premier Division table and confirm their qualification for Europe.

Midfielder Towell scored twice inside as many minutes midway through the first half before completing his trio on 66 minutes.

The win sees Stephen Kenny's side leapfrog Sligo Rovers who were held to a 0-0 draw by Cork City at the Showgrounds.

Shelbourne scraped themselves off the foot of the table despite blowing a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Drogheda United at Tolka Park.

Shels started well and were ahead from a freakish goal on 13 minutes when Derek Doyle scored direct from an in-swinging corner.

It got better for Shels ten minutes later when they stretched their lead. Drogheda didn't defend Robert Cornwall’s long throw and defender Paul Andrews’ low drive took a deflection to enter the net off a post.

Drogheda hit back on the half hour when Doyle was guilty of a push on Peter Hynes and Gavin Brennan smashed the resulting penalty down the middle.

Shels' keeper Lee Murphy then made a brilliant save to deprived Ryan Brennan before allowing a cross-shot from Gavin Brennan enter the net for Drogheda's equaliser on 61 minutes.

The point was enough to left Shels off the bottom on goal difference as Bray Wanderers lost 3-0 at Shamrock Rovers.

Rovers led from the 26th minute when Bray keeper Shane Redmond could only parry a shot from Billy Dennehy and Mark Quigley scooped home the rebound.

Karl Sheppard doubled Rovers lead eight minutes into the second half before adding his second of the night on 85 minutes.

A Robbie Williams goal gave Limerick a third win on the spin as they beat Bohemians 1-0 at Thomond Park.