Shamrock Rovers - 1 St Patrick's Athletic - 2: Tony Bird headed a late winner to give a roller-coaster game a telling twist as St Patrick's maintained their revival under John McDonnell. Bird headed home a Dessie Byrne free-kick on 78 minutes to put St Patrick's in front.

Rovers had taken the lead on 51 minutes when Shane Robinson dived to head in Trevor Molloy's cross. St Patrick's levelled virtually from the kick-off when Keith Fahey shot home from close range.

Rovers could have been in front after 16 seconds, Chris Adamson pushing the ball out for a corner from Molloy, something he repeated on 13 minutes. Molloy then put Robinson in on goal seven minutes later but he volleyed wide.

St Patrick's took their time to get into the game. Fahey brought a clumsy save from Noel Mooney on 33 minutes and the midfielder then troubled Mooney with a cheeky free-kick. Rovers survived another Fahey free-kick when Paul Osam looped in a header but Keith O'Halloran cleared on the line.

The marking in the Rovers defence was then called into question in first-half stoppage time when Bird powered in a header that went straight into the arms of Mooney.

St Patrick's had Karim El Khebir sent off for a second booking three minutes from time.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: N Mooney; Croly, McGuinness, Palmer, Gough; O'Halloran, O'Brien (McArdle, 14 mins, D Mooney, 80 mins), McDonnell; Robinson, Molloy, Rutherford.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; El Khebir, Foley, Maguire, Byrne; Quigley, Fahey, Ndo, Osam; Rose (Smith, 21 mins), Bird.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).