St Patrick's Ath - 3 Galway United - 1: St Patrick's Athletic must love playing Galway United: their record this season is played three, won three. However last night's win at Richmond Park was not as easily achieved as the previous two.

Earlier in the season 3-0 and 4-0 wins had been secured, but last night it required two second-half goals - in the space of just five minutes - from Paul Osam and substitute Ger McCarthy to finally see off the dogged resistance of Galway.

The victory sees the Inchicore team move to the top of the table on points, two ahead of Shelbourne - if they get back the nine points they were deducted earlier in the season for playing an ineligible player. A decision is expected on Monday.

Last night, having had an opening goal by Charles Mbabzi Livingstone cancelled out by Alan Murphy, the home team heightened the pressure in the second half to claim all three points.

Michael Holt and Osam had already gone close before Osam restored their advantage in the 63rd minute, powerfully heading home a perfectly-flighted Martin Russell free kick.

The points were secured five minutes later when Galway goalkeeper Robert Forde could only parry Livingstone's well-struck shot into the path of substitute McCarthy, who blasted home from six yards.

To compound Galway's discomfort defender Adrian Carberry was red-carded in the 80th minute for a foul on McCarthy.

Livingstone's early goal came when he played a one-two with Holt before drilling his shot low past Forde.

But St Patrick's were not able to build on that early advantage as Galway pulled themselves back into contention, playing better than their lowly league position would suggest.

Murphy had already gone close on a couple of occasions before his and Galway's efforts were rewarded with the equaliser 10 minutes before the break when he found space before firing past James Gallagher from 16 yards.

However the second-half strikes from Osam and McCarthy deservedly secured the points to the home side.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Gallagher, Burke, Croly, Maguire, Foley, McGuinness, Osam, Russell, Livingstone, Holt, Mannion. Subs: McCarthy for Mannion (60 mins); Griffin for Russell (89 mins); Harris for Livingstone (89 mins).

GALWAY UNITED: R Forde, Sheridan, Carberry, Silke, Carter, Fortune, A Forde, Herrick, O'Shaughnessy, Murphy, Quirke. Subs: Brennan for O'Shaugnessy (73 mins); O'Brien for A Forde (73 mins); Malee for Murphy (90 mins).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).