A GOAL from centre back Dave Campbell at Turner's Cross yesterday gave Shelbourne manager Damian Richardson some encouragement as they attempt to keep their Championship challenge alive.

Campbell scored following a right-wing corner kick from Tony Sheridan two minutes from the end of yesterday's match at a stage when it looked as if both sides would have to settle for a division of the points.

It was Shelbourne's first win over Cork City since Richardson transferred from Cork to Shelbourne two seasons ago and he was not slow to express his delight.

"This is always a very difficult venue for visiting team," said Richardson. "And while this was not the best game in the world, it was all about winning three points. The goal was a great boost to us, particularly where places in Europe are concerned.

Campbell's strike was a huge disappointment for Cork City for they had more of the play throughout the match, even if they could never match Shelbourne when it came to creating scoring chances.

They were, however, frustrated by a first-half decision that denied them an apparently genuine penalty claim. This incident occurred after 23 minutes when John Caulfield attempted to flick the ball over the head of Shelbourne defender Pat Scully inside the penalty area. Scully tackled the centre forward with his hands in the air, but despite the fact that the balls appeared to strike his hands the referee waved aside Cork's penalty claims.

Shelbourne had clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half when Mark Rutherford lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Noel Mooney and then saw it bounce narrowly over the crossbar. In the second half, Stephen Geoghegan shot straight at Mooney when a goal seemed certain.

It was with a great sense of relief that Richardson saluted the goal from Campbell. "We have not given up on the league just yet. Derry must come to play us and I believe we can beat them. If they drop a point or two between this and then, the run-in for the title will be very close. This win was a big encouragement for us and we will be pushing right to the end of the season - I do not believe the title is out of our grasp."