A ruthless second half display from St Patrick’s Athletic against Bohemians lifted spirits at Richmond Park and helped Derry City close the gap on the league leaders this evening. Cork City, however, failed to take full advantage after being held to a scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross.

A first half of few chances saw Pat’s and Bohs go in level at halftime but the defending champions were rocked early in the second half by a low volley from American Ryan Guy.

The Gypsies immediately looked to strike back but failed to carve out any clear cut chances and Pat’s defender Jason Gavin doubled the lead with a calm finish after a 68th minute corner.

A quality performance from Jeff Kenna’s side was topped off by a stunning volley from John Lester that left Brian Murphy no chance as it rocketed into the top corner.

Owen Heary got one back for Bohs with five minutes remaining but Pat’s remained untroubled otherwise.

The Candystripes kept the pressure on, thanks to a 13th minute goal from striker Sammy Morrow at Sligo Rovers.

Dundalk ended a run of three straight defeats with a 3-0 win over Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park.

Chris Turner got the homeside off to a great start in the first minute, when he volleyed home from Shaun Kelly’s cross.

Seán Connor’s men got the second in the 26th minute, after neat play from Tiarnan Mulvenna and Ger Rowe led to the latter drilling the ball low past Chris O’Connor.

Mulvenna was rewarded for an impressive performance in the 55th minute, when a mix-up between O’Connor and Stephen Brennan allowed the 20-year-old tap into an empty net.

Galway halted a dramatic slump with a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United at Terryland Park.

Six defeats in eight have undone much of the good work at the start of the season, but Vinny Faherty’s sixth minute goal saw them begin brightly tonight.

They were forced to settle for a point, though, when Brian King finished Robbie Clarke’s cross in the 66th minute.