Marcus Hallows provided the only real spark for St Patrick's Athletic in an otherwise largely forgettable affair at Richmond Park last night. For the second time this season, Hallows made the score-sheet as a substitute when he headed home the winner on 63 minutes following a right-side corner from fellow substitute Des Byrne. It was his eighth goal of the season.

Unfortunately for all involved, the dismissal of Ger McCarthy and Jonathan Minnock was the only real point of interest in the first half. Both players saw an immediate red card five minutes before the break after Minnock's offence from McCarthy's tackle resulted in a head-butting exchange.

For the home side, Padraig Drew was lively enough with some threatening running down the left side, yet there was the impression throughout that St Patrick's haven't quite cleared up their concentration problems in defence.

However, the introduction of Hallows ignited some brief life into the game and he had almost caught Brian McKenna off his line shortly before he claimed the winner.

St Patrick's Ath: Wood; Burke, Lynch, McGuinness, Prenderville; Devereux, Osam, Hawkins, Drew; McCarthy, McNevin. Subs: Hallows for Devereux (half-time), Byrne for Drew (58 mins), Gormley for Prenderville (71 mins).

Finn Harps: McKenna; Bradley, Minnock, Boyle, Dykes, Mohan; Tierney, McGranaghan, Harkin; Kenny, Turner.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).