St. Pat's 0 Shelbourne 2

The two most recent Eircom Premier champions battled it out at the wrong end of the table - and it was Shelbourne who restored some sanity to their season with three badly needed points.

Shels are now just two points of the leaders - but the Saints still feel the tug of gravity and, on this showing, will find it hard to achieve escape velocity.

Shels did most of the first-half attacking, with the best chances falling to James Keddy. And they were well worth their 58th-minute lead through Richie Foran, but fortunate to double its value within three minutes through Richie Baker's first goal of the season.

With the comfort of a two-goal lead, Shelbourne were never going to surrender the points.

Saints' best chance came just after half time when Paul Byrne seemed to be clipped as he rounded Shels' 'keeper Steve Williams. It looked a stone penalty - but referee Feighery booked Byrne for a dive!

St. Pat's: Kelly, Burke, S McGuinness, Foley, Doyle, R McGuinness, Croly, Byrne, Russell, Harris, Holt
Subs: Drew for Russell 45, Gilzean for Harris 57, Hallows for Burke 78
Not used: McNevin, Garrett
Bookings: Byrne 52
Shels: Williams, Heary, McCarthy, Scully, Hutchison, Crawford, Fenlon, Doolin, R Baker, Foran, Keddy
Subs: Byrne for Crawford 24, D Baker for Foran 64
Not used: Campbell, Bennion, Prizeman
Bookings: Scully 12, Doolin 47, McCarthy 56
Goals: Foran 58, R Baker 61