On the strength of last night's frantic encounter, league leaders Shelbourne need only keep their heads if they intend to keep their title. St Patrick's, after a disappointingly physical battle, are the new leaders of the chasing pack but, six points adrift, it remains hard to see how the gap can be closed. It might have looked even better for the defending champions this morning for, after Stephen McGuinness had put St Patrick's ahead 15 minutes into the second period, Alex Nesovic scored what looked like being a crucial equaliser two minutes from time. That the Bohemians goal stood, after Wayne Russell had looked to have been roughly bundled out of possession following a fairly straightforward catch, caused outrage among the local players with McGuinness being booked simply for being nearest to hand. That particular dispute, however, became somewhat academic moments later when Michael Holt's cross was turned past Wayne Russell by Ger McCarthy at the other end to restore the home side's narrow advantage.

Bohemians were fortunate not to trail at the break after Paul McKeon had taken a surprisingly harsh view of Simon Webb's contact with McCarthy inside the visitors' box and awarded the hosts a penalty. Happily for the defender, though, Liam Kelly then botched the spot kick.

Paul Byrne forced the save of the evening from Seamus Kelly with a swerving free that looked set to dip just under the crossbar on the half hour.

Set pieces looked to be the most promising source of goals, something that was confirmed in the 60th minute when Martin Russell chipped a free from the right towards McGuinness on the edge of the six-yard box and the central defender's flicked, slightly looping header left Wayne Russell hopelessly stranded. Ten minutes later, another McCarthy run forced Russell into an error that should have yielded a second penalty for the hosts when the goalkeeper tripped the striker. Furthermore, referee McKeon, who had booked five players during the first hour, showed a marked reluctance to punish the visitors for second offences. But in the end McCarthy nipped in for the winner.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Croly, Maguire, S McGuinness, Burke; R McGuinness (Osam, 86 mins), Livingstone, Griffin, Russell; McCarthy, Kelly (Holt, 85 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Hill, Webb; Byrne, Caffrey, Fulham (Hunt, half-time), Rutherford; Crowe, O'Neill (Nesovic, 51 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).