St Patrick's Athletic 0 Shelbourne 1:  This was a psychological lift for Shelbourne ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie against Glentoran in Belfast.

Having endured a muddling few months, what with crushing setbacks obstructing attempts to revive form, the champions were hoping to overturn their opponents for the second time this week. Pat Fenlon's men duly obliged with a commanding performance throughout.

The contest was played at a thrilling pace from the start. Shelbourne threatened first but Barry Ryan saved Richie Baker's close-range header following Ollie Cahill's cross.

Shelbourne then tightened their grip and would have edged ahead in the 18th minute but for an unorthodox save from Ryan. Wes Hoolahan, at the back post, was inches from meeting Owen Heary's free, but the goalkeeper was smartly off his line to divert with his legs.

Relentless in their pursuit of the lead, Shelbourne made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. Colin Hawkins played in Hoolahan and the winger curled the ball in off Ryan's far post from 25 yards.

Credit St Patrick's, though, who raised their game after the break. Keith Fahey had Dean Delaney scrambling to tip over his crossbar while Colm Foley headed narrowly wide from Michael Foley's 65th-minute corner.

But, despite restricting their opponents to scraps late on, St Patrick's lacked the composure on the ball to unlock a Shelbourne side who finished with 10 men after Baker was sent off for a second yellow in stoppage-time.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Quigley, Maguire, C Foley, Frost; Fahey, Caffrey, Donnelly, M Foley; Doyle, Dunne. Subs: Flood for Dunne (70 mins). Booked: Foley (18), Doyle (40), Fahey (67), Flood (87).

SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Crawley, Cahill; Baker, Ndo, S Byrne, Hoolahan; Crowe, J Byrne. Subs: Moore for Ndo (70). Fitzpatrick for J Byrne (80). Booked: Baker (31).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).