WHILE they can't seem to win at home, St Patrick's Athletic's away form is proving their salvation this season.

After a poor start in defence of their title with successive away defeats, they've now won four of their last five games away from Richmond Park. If only they could get their home form right, then an unlikely, from this junction, championship retention could yet be on the cards.

Trevor Croly, who got the only goal when St Patrick's beat Shelbourne at the same venue early last month, repeated the feat again at Tolka Park last night. Sadly, Rovers frustrated fans sullied the club's name by choosing to attack the St Patrick's supporters as Croly ran to them to celebrate. Fortunately, the Garda soon had the skirmish under control and there were no further such incidents.

In a sluggish start, St Patrick's had a couple of half chances through Paul Osam and Croly early on, before Rovers brought the game properly to life with a good opening on 18 minutes. Tony Cousins' flick from a long clearance put Stephen Grant clean through on goal, but the striker fluffed a glorious opportunity by lobbing well over with only Brian McKenna to beat.

John Toal and Lee Williams then might have given Rovers the lead with chances inside 30 seconds after 26 minutes. Williams cross was deflected to Toal, some 25 yards out, but his fiercely hit, first time shot was inches' wide.

Before St Patrick's defence could draw breath, Williams cut in from Pat Fenlon's pass to drive a shot against McKenna's left hand post. The rebound was only partially cleared and Toal's shot was blocked by Lynch.

Both sides had made changes following last week's poor performances. Rovers brought in the trio of Williams and Grant, while Sean Kavanagh kept his place having replaced the injured Keith Lambert last week. St Patrick's, meanwhile, brought in Ricky O'Flaherty and Mick Moody from the start, played Lynch at right back and Keith Long in the centre of midfield.

Having survived Rovers' flurry mid way through the first half, St Patrick's slowly took control of the game.

O'Flaherty failed to punish a Leonard Curtis error shortly before half time by not providing the unmarked Martin Reilly with a better cross.

St Patrick's then enjoyed their best spell early in the second half, and might have had a penalty on 54 minutes when Curtis appeared to bring down Croly, but referee, Pat Dempsey, waved away St Patrick's claims.

The only goal arrived six minutes later. Rovers were at sixes and sevens as they attempted to clear Ray Carolan's long throw. The ball broke for Croly some yards from goal, and though Robbie Horgan got a hand to his volley, the Rovers goalkeeper only succeeded in pushing the ball onto a post and into the net.