Cork City showed plenty of spirit as they came from behind to overcome St Patrick's Athletic in a lively and entertaining game at Turner's Cross.

St Pat's were given an early boost with a goal after 13 minutes when Martin Russell's free from the left wing caused Cork trouble. Colm Foley rose above the defence to head the ball across goal from outside the far upright and when Paul Osam and goalkeeper Noel Mooney clashed the ball fell kindly for Liam Kelly to score.

Cork have steadily been building a formidable reputation at home this season and, urged on by the enthusiastic following, they worked hard to retrieve the situation. They were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Alan Carey's driven cross from the right wing was mis-kicked by Paul Donnelly to afford James Mulligan the opportunity to sweep home the equaliser from 12 yards.

St Pat's striker Mbabazi wasted a good opportunity when he was released by a clever pass from Kelly and pulled his shot wide of goalkeeper Mooney but also wide of goal.

Cork were very persistent as they chased a winner in the second half. They went in front after 52 minutes with a wonderful strike from Anthony Buckley, who picked up a headed clearance and stepped inside Donnelly's challenge before firing a shot low past goalkeeper Seamus Kelly and inside the far upright. It only remained for Mooney to save brilliantly from Osam 12 minutes from time as Cork made sure of the points.

CORK CITY: Mooney; Carey, Daly, Coughlan, Horgan; Buckley, Bennett, O'Grady, Cahill; Hartigan, Mulligan. Subs: C P O'Brien for Mulligan (86 mins); Flanagan for O'Grady (87 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly; Crolly, Foley, Maguire, Donnelly; Griffin, Marney, Osam, Russell; L Kelly, Mbabazi. Subs: McCarthy for Mbabazi (57 mins); Doyle for Donnelly (77 mins); Mannion for Marney (85 mins).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).