An admirable strike from returned captain Mick Neville turned an absorbing game on its head as Shelbourne came from behind to re-assert their title favourites tag at Tolka Park last night.

Shamrock Rovers had threatened to inflict further nagging doubts on Shelbourne, whose first-half display looked like developing into a second disjointed performance in five days, and once more bring into focus the question mark hanging over their ability to win that elusive Premier Division crown.

Rovers, with a gutsy display of no little skill, were leading by a goal and frustrating Shelbourne until Neville's timely intervention in the 57th minute. Thereafter, the Shelbourne swagger returned to life and how they didn't win comfortably was the only question remaining at the end.

If previous recent meetings between the sides were any indication, an open game was anticipated and a rather moderately sized crowd of around 2,000 weren't to be disappointed.

Rovers were the quicker to settle. Marc Kenny's precise passing was cutting Shelbourne up through the middle and he found Tony Cousins in behind the defence on five minutes but the league's top scorer blazed his volley well over the top.

However, the two combined more tellingly to create the lead goal three minutes later. Kenny again pierced the defence with a sublime pass for Cousins to cross and there was Mark O'Neill to deflect the ball past Alan Gough with his left knee.

Shelbourne were playing only in patches. Dessie Baker was narrowly wide with an overhead kick after a move down the right between Greg Costello and Pascal Vaudequin and a header back across goal from Mark Rutherford.

Shelbourne were a different side after the break and came right back to take control of the game. Baker headed over from Rutherford's knockdown from Costello's cross. Rovers' Richie Purdy then had to make a diving tackle on Stephen Geoghegan who had dribbled through two tackles to attempt a shot.

Shelbourne had to survive a scare on 56 minutes when Kenny again played Cousins through on goal but he sliced his shot well wide. A minute later Shelbourne were level. Vaudequin's crossfield ball was helped on by Davy Campbell to Neville who took one touch before unleashing a trademark right-foot drive from 30 yards that flew into the top corner of the net.

The goal lifted Shelbourne to a more accustomed level and Geoghegan cracked a shot against a post five minutes later before forcing a tip-over save from Robbie Forde from the rebound.

Shelbourne were utterly dominant now and Forde came to Rovers' rescue 13 minutes from time to make the stop of the match to deprive Baker of what would have been a deserved winner. Geoghegan played Baker away down the right, and, after outpacing Purdy, his cheeky shot on goal was brilliantly palmed away by the 'keeper.

Rovers will be happy with a result that puts them second on goal difference. Shelbourne, stay fourth, but can content themselves that last week's poor display at Dalymount is out of their system.

Shelbourne: Gough; Costello, Scully, McCarthy, Neville; Vaudequin, Campbell, Fenlon, Rutherford; Baker, S Geoghegan. Subs: Sheridan for Vaudequin (79 mins).

Shamrock Rovers: Forde; Whelan, Brazil, Purdy; Britton, Kenny, Colwell, O'Neill, Dunne; Tracey, Cousins. Subs: Kavanagh for Dunne (79 mins).

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).