Cork City may still be top of the league but that is scant compensation for Dave Barry's side after their unbeaten run was brought to an unceremonious end at Turner's Cross yesterday. Their run was bound to end at some stage but Barry will be disappointed after his side were beaten by what he described as a defensive error.

Eddie Gormley floated in a free kick in the 77th minute and winger Paul Osam freed himself of his marker to send his diving header past City's stand-in goalkeeper, Noel Mooney.

"Midway through the first half I could see that whoever scored the first goal would win the game and it is disappointing that Osam was able to lose his marker so easily," said a disappointed Barry.

The first half afforded neither side many clear-cut chances and at the halfway stage a draw looked to be on the cards.

The game opened up somewhat following the interval and it was St Patrick's who had the earliest chances.

The best chance of an opener came in the 64th minute, when Trevor Molloy squared the ball to Martin Reilly, who somehow managed to shoot over with the goal at his mercy.

"Obviously I am thrilled with the three points and while the game was not a classic, to come to Cork and come away with a win is a great achievement," said St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan.

"Cork look to be in great shape and this is just a blip for them. They are definitely championship-winning material and any team that finishes above them will do well," he concluded.