Last gasp win for Dundalk
Dundalk maintained their four point lead over Cork City at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table, with an injury time winner from Patrick McEleney clinching a 3-2 win over Wexford Youths at Oriel Park.
The Lilywhites twice fought back from a goal down, with Paul Murphy's opener for Youths being cancelled out before the break by the in-form Daryl Horgan.
Eric Molloy put Youths ahead again on the hour mark, but a Darren Meenan goal direct from a corner kick 13 minutes from time set up an exciting finish, climaxed by Patrick McEleney firing home the winner from Ronan Finn's free kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Cork City stay in touch at the top
Cork City kept on the tail of Dundalk with a 3-0 win at Longford Town, a task made easier after the hosts had been reduced to ten men when Tristan Noack Hoffman saw red in the 34th minute.
Although Cork had dominated possession it took until almost the hour mark before they broke the deadlock, and the introduction of Mark O'Sullivan as a half time substitution proved to be a shrewd move from City manager John Caulfield.
O'Sullivan set up Sean Maguire for the opening goal, and added a second goal 17 minutes from time when he headed in from a Kevin O'Connor free kick.
Stephen Dooley wrapped up the points with a third goal seven minutes from time for the Leesiders, who host Dundalk at Turners Cross on Friday evening in what promises to be one of the games of the season.
Derry move into third place
Derry City ended a run of three league games without a win to move back into third place in the table, with a 2-0 win over Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell that was more comfortable than the score suggests.
The Candystripes were missing top scorer Rory Patterson, but never looked in trouble once Joshua Daniels put them ahead in the 7th minute after Nathan Boyle's shot rebounded off the post, and Boyle was soon on the scoresheet himself, claiming his fifth goal of the season with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net in the 20th minute.
It was Bray's eighth league defeat in succession, and they now face a relegation six-pointer at home to fellow strugglers Longford Town on Friday.
Hoops disappoint once again
Shamrock Rovers lost further ground on the top two after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium.
It was a game Rovers desperately needed to win to keep in touch with the leaders, and they got off to a good start when Gary Shaw headed them into the lead from Brandon Miele's corner kick after just eight minutes.
But Harps, who came into the game having lost three games in succession and conceding 12 goals in the process, earned a valuable point when Dave Scully's glancing header pulled them back on level terms just after the break.
Bohs on fire in Dublin derby
After a barren run of six league games without a win or a goal, Bohemians ended the drought in spectacular fashion with a 5-1 win over St Patrick's Athletic in the Dublin derby at Dalymount Park.
Pats' record league defeat was a 7-0 defeat at the same venue in 1974, and at one point that record looked in danger of being beaten, when Bohs romped into a four goal lead inside 31 minutes.
Their first league goal in 564 minutes arrived after just three minutes when Dan Byrne set up Roberto Lopes for the opener, and from then on Ismahil Akinade left his mark on the game with a goal and three assists, two of those setting up Jake Byrne for a double.
Ian Bermingham got a second half consolation for Pats, who were also reduced to ten men late on, when Sean Hoare saw red after he conceded the penalty that led to Kurtis Byrne adding a fifth goal from the penalty spot.
Results:
Premier Division:
Bohemians 5 St. Patrick's Athletic 1, Derry City 2 Bray Wanderers 0, Dundalk 3 Wexford Youths 2, Galway United 1 Sligo Rovers 2, Longford Town 0 Cork City 3, Shamrock Rovers 1 Finn Harps 1.
First Division:
Athlone Town 1 UCD 2, Cabinteely 0 Drogheda United 0, Cobh Ramblers 4 Waterford United 0, Shelbourne 3 Limerick 4.
