Cork City - 2 Shelbourne - 1:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cork City snatched a precious win in an exciting game at Turner's Cross last night that produced a highly-dramatic second half when Cork were awarded a controversial penalty and Shelbourne were reduced to 10 men. Both incidents were hugely influential with the penalty awarded when the teams were tied 1-1 and Jim Gannon being sent off with 35 minutes still to play.

The penalty occurred within 15 seconds of the start of the second half. John O'Flynn attempted to turn in the penalty area but as Kevin Doherty stretched to knock the ball away the forward tumbled to the ground. The referee waved aside all protests and O'Flynn stepped up to score from the penalty spot.

The red-card incident followed in the 55th minute. This time Cork's George O'Callaghan and Gannon were involved in an incident and the referee had to consult the assistant before producing the red card.

Shelbourne recovered to enjoy the better of the opening half after falling behind in the 16th minute. They were strong in midfield despite losing Jim Crawford to an injury after just 13 minutes. However, Cork scored first and their goal owed everything to the determination of O'Callaghan who took advantage of a weak header from Doherty for a shot from 15 yards that rebounded off goalkeeper Steve Williams. O'Callaghan hammered the rebound home.

Shelbourne's equaliser in the 22nd minute came when Richie Baker played a clever ball through the defence which Stephen Geoghegan hit first time past Michael Devine.

CORK CITY (4-4-2): Devine; Carey (Warren 80), Daly, Murray, Horgan; Carey, Bennett, Reynolds, Woods; O'Flynn (CP O'Brien 71), O'Callaghan.

SHELBOURNE (4-4-2): Williams; Heary, Diorite, Gannon, Crawley; Baker (Hoolihan 77), Crawford (D Byrne 13), S. Byrne, Cahill; Roberts, Geoghegan (Beavers 77).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).