Pat Deans was Shamrock Rovers' unlikely match-winner as the 20-year-old substitute's spectacular goal won a cracking Dublin derby to lift Rovers back up to third in the table.

Such was the nature of Rovers' resolute display, manager Damien Richardson believes they are in good stead to challenge leaders Shelbourne for their title, setting up nicely Wednesday week's top of the table clash between the clubs at Tolka Park.

Both sides brought fine runs of form into the game but having missed a first-half penalty, St Patrick's never came out for the second-half as Rovers over ran them and fully deserved their win.

Rovers' goalkeeper Robbie Horgan was fortunate to stay on the field after he gave away a penalty when he held down Liam Kelly as he tried to recover when his poor clearance hit the St Pat's forward.

St Pat's where then hopping mad as Horgan was only yellow-carded, and then palmed away Robbie Griffin's poor spot kick.

Having played second fiddle for much of the opening half, Rovers were a very different proposition from the start of the second as St Patrick's were forced to defend in numbers.

Rovers deservedly took the lead on 65 minutes. Brian Byrne combined with Tony Grant who crossed in from the left. A penalty claim went unheeded as Tony Cousins seemed to be impeded by Griffin. But Rovers didn't stop playing and the ball broke for Pat Deans, in at rightback in an earlier reshuffle, to strike a right-foot drive from 25 yards which gave Kelly no chance as it flew into the far corner.

St Patrick's Athletic: S. Kelly; Croly, Maguire, Foley, Burke; Byrne, McGuinness, Osam, Griffin; L. Kelly, McCarthy. Subs: Holt for L. Kelly (58 mins.), Harris for Foley (85 mins), G Doyle for McCarthy (88 mins).

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Vaudequin, Palmer, Cronin, Woods; Kenny, Colwell, Tracey, Byrne; Cousins, Grant. Subs: Deans for Kenny (inj 13 mins.), Robinson for Colwell (inj 39 mins), Francis for Vaudequin (83 mins).

Referee: H. Byrne (Dublin).