Pat's strike late to stun Shamrock Rovers for sweet victory in Inchicore

An injury-time winner secured a thrilling comeback victory for St Patrick's Athletic over Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers at a sold-out Richmond Park.

With Brandon Kavanagh ready to power home from an Axel Sjoberg cross, Dylan Watts’ unlucky leg turned the ball into his Hoops net.

It looked as if both sides were going to have to be content with a point after Ruairi Keating cancelled out Johnny Kenny’s opener for the visitors.

But there was a sting in the tail as the Saints claimed a vital win, sparking joyous scenes at the full-time whistle.

Coming into the game on the back of a wretched run that included one win in eight, Stephen Kenny’s Saints made three swaps from their scoreless draw against Drogheda United.

And Rovers made four from their most recent league outing - also against Drogs - with deputy keeper Lee Steacy picked to start instead of the injured Leon Pohls.

Steacy was at the forefront of the early action as he clattered into Mason Melia from a Jake Mulraney cross - with referee Damien MacGraith waving away the penalty protests.

Rovers had their own penalty claim minutes later after Neil Farrugia looked to have been hauled down by Luke Turner after cutting back and priming himself to shoot but it was waved away by MacGraith.

Melia then went close on the quarter hour but he could direct a cross from Mulraney just wide after some good play in the middle from the hosts.

St Pat’s were motoring well at this point and should have scored in the 20th minute if not for some heroic defending from Hoops defender Josh Honohan who blocked two goalbound efforts from Romal Palmer and Melia after some fine wing play from Kian Leavy.

But Rovers soon found their groove and caused no end of trouble for the hosts down the left flank - with