League of Ireland review:Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers remain the pacesetters on points in the Airtricity Premier Division but the defending champions put four past Shelboune in Tallaght to lead the way on goal difference.
Sligo were worthy winners but managed just the one goal at Monaghan United after Danny North pounced on an underhit backpass to punish the hosts in the 49th minute.
Rovers were three up by halftime. Gary Twigg opened the scoring from the spot, before Stephen Hurley found his own net and Ronan Finn fired a screamer past Paul Skinner.
Shels were guilty of a poor backpass of their own in the 73rd minute and Aaron Green took advantage to push it beyond the goalkeeper.
There were six goals at the Carlisle Grounds and the visitors Drogheda United took four of them to leave with three points.
Dean Marshall scored for Drogs after just 33 seconds when he headed home Tiernan Mulvenna’s cross.
Bray had to wait until the 52nd to equalise through Jason Byrne after Kieran Marty Waters dragged it back for the striker.
However, Brian Gannon poked home a second for Drogs 10 minutes later and it got worse for the hosts when Dane Massey stamped on the goalscorer for a red card.
Drogheda took full advantage with goals from Seán Brennan and Declan O'Brien, before Dean Zambra’s free-kick somehow found it’s way into the net from long range for Bray.
Derry City stayed third thanks to goals from Mark Farren and Stephen McLaughlin against Cork City at the Brandywell, while Dundalk beat UCD 2-1.
Chris Shields and Shane O'Neill gave the homeside a two-goal lead before the Graham Rusk got one back from the spot for the Students.
Tonight’s Results
Airticity League of Ireland Premier Division
Bray Wanderers 2 Drogheda United 4
Derry City 2 Cork City 0
Dundalk 2 UCD 1
Monaghan United 0 Sligo Rovers 1
Shamrock Rovers 4 Shelbourne 0
Airticity League of Ireland Division One
Limerick FC 3 SD Galway 0
Mervue United 0 Athlone Town 1
