Rovers survive late St Pat's scare to extend lead

Shamrock Rovers were missing some marquee players but nevertheless edged past St Patrick's to extend their lead at the top of the Premier Division to ten points before 4,365 fans in Inchicore.

Dundalk have a couple of games in hand but, as the Rovers fans chanted, tonight is why Stephen Bradley's men are champions and this was a professional display, albeit they had to survive a late scare.

In a lively encounter, goals from the excellent Andy Lyons and Aaron Greene showcased the depth of the Rovers panel, before Eoin Doyle's consolation in injury time.

This concluded a frustrating few days for Saints, who blew a two-goal lead very late at Finn Harps Friday.

Rovers, meanwhile, will go to Harps Friday ahead of the beginning of their European adventure of 2022 next week. They were pretty solid defensively here and took control of the game in the second half.

For a Monday night, there was quite the buzz around Richmond Park: almost an hour before kick-off a large queue was easing its way into the old ground, with no early-week hangover for either set of fans. Saints fans were in great voice and nearly greater seven minutes in.

Billy King, in goalscoring form at the weekend, should have done better rather than blaze over after a canny Chris Forrester pass.

Dylan Watts responded, his shot deflected over in a lively start; Joseph Anang then needed two goes to gather Greene's strike.

On 19 minutes, almost an unusual opener.

Watts' excellent cross was flicked goalwards by Pico Lopes and Anang nearly helped into the net under no pressure; it was a close-run thing.

With Saints playing four players in attacking positions and Rovers their usual three at the back, it was tactically intriguing.

One Saints fan had a pop at former home favourite