Shamrock Rovers - 1 Dublin City - 3: "Going down" was the chant of the Shamrock Rovers fans in the first half but if Dublin City are relegated they look likely to go down fighting.

A spirited display gave the visitors all three points with Cathal O'Connor the hero, scoring a brace. For Noel Synnott's men the song had changed by the final whistle to "What a load of rubbish" as fans vented frustration at a disappointing performance.

The Vikings enjoyed much of the possession in the opening half but chances at either end were few and far between.

On 26 minutes City took the lead when Gary O'Neill combined with Cathal O'Connor, who delicately chipped over Russell Payne. Rovers, who had looked dispirited and disjointed in the first half, scarcely deserved their 44th minute equaliser.

Only Terry Palmer, immense in defence, and Stephen Grant up front, looked near their best and it was inevitable that Grant would play a part in Rovers' equaliser when after he was eventually dispossessed, Keith O'Halloran was on hand to fire home.

The Hoops lifted their performance in the second half but City counter-attacked effectively.

Substitute Robbie Farrell's header found O'Connor who drove the ball to the net to put City in the ascendancy once more.

Farrell almost got on the score sheet, but, having rounded Payne, he diverted the ball wide from an acute angle. With just 16 minutes remaining City sealed victory with Adam Rundle scoring from inside the box.

It was only then that Rovers began to find some rhythm but by that stage it was too little too late.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Payne, Gough, McGuinness (Cousins 81 mins), Palmer, Malone, Robinson, O'Halloran (Caffrey 71), O'Brien (Kenny 71), Rutherford, Molloy (Caffrey 71), Grant.

DUBLIN CITY: Ryan, Friel, Rolands, Tony O'Connor, Cooper, Crowley, Nesovic (Farrell 64 mins), Tierney (Kenny 84), O'Neill, Cathal O'Connor, Rundle.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).