Damien Duff sees red as 10-man Dundalk edge 10-man Shelbourne

A stunning header from John Martin with his first touch five minutes from time saw Dundalk claim the spoils against Shelbourne in a game in which both sides finished with 10 men.

Shane Griffin and Steven Bradley were sent-off in either half with Shels boss Damien Duff also dismissed in first-half stoppage time in a game that exploded into life at the end of drab opening 45 minutes.

When Bradley was sent-off on 57 minutes the game had had more reds than shots on target.

Shane Farrell looked like he had earned the visitors a share of the spoils when he scored from a debatable spot-kick nine minutes from the end to cancel out Daniel Kelly's opener but up popped Martin with his first Dundalk goal to ensure the Lilywhites inflicted a first away defeat of the season on Shels.

Dundalk moved up to fourth in the table while Shelbourne remain eighth.