St Patrick's Athletic 1 Cork City  1:On the balance of play, particularly their second-half offering, Cork just about deserved this point. But despite seeing enough of the ball they looked for lengthy spells destined to leave the capital without any reward.

Until Roy O'Donovan's introduction 13 minutes from time, Cork lacked the guile and panache to trouble the home defence despite enjoying ample possession. But the Fulham-bound substitute lent energy to Cork's late push and his team-mates fed off that to great effect.

Manager Damien Richardson was sent to the stands late in the game for remonstrating with match officials after a late challenge on Darren Murphy but Richardson's frustration was soothed when Denis Behan's goal three minutes from time drained the life from the hosts.

Wary of allowing a resurgent Cork side settle first, St Patrick's attacked from the off and could have taken the lead after just 30 seconds. Mark Quigley juggled the ball up the touchline before laying off to Alan Kirby. The winger curled a shot that had goalkeeper Michael Devine beaten but not the post.

Cork, though, are rejuvenated after falling off the pace earlier in the season. With Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly back in the team they pack bite and creativity, though neither had it all his own way against a St Patrick's midfield up for the fight. New signing Michael Keane was particularly in tune until his enforced substitution; grafting hard, driving forward and inspiring those around him.

Although Cork worked their way into promising positions, their progress was often fortunate rather than planned. Denis Behan should have at least found the target when capitalising on Darragh Maguire's less-than-convincing back-header.

Under pressure from Stephen Brennan, the striker drilled into the ground and wide. Needing no second warning, St Patrick's improved in defence thereafter.

Indeed, having gifted Cork a foothold, the locals regained composure and played off the front foot until the break. Quigley, again, was tormenting Neal Horgan and Cillian Lordan as he moved from flank to flank. Anto Murphy proved a willing accomplice and was regularly on hand to assist.

From one such instance, Murphy crossed for Ryan Guy and the American striker stooped low before steering a bullet header at Devine. The goalkeeper made a superb reaction save but there was little he could do seven minutes before the break when Guy came back for seconds.

Seán Kelly, the Cork defender, squandered possession in his own box, and when the ball eventually worked its way to Guy, via Quigley and Keane, the striker struck low and hard through a sea of bodies for his second league goal.

While Cork were very much a force in the first half, they lacked a cutting edge. The home faithful, though, took to the break satisfied with their side's work up to that point. St Patrick's then restarted with the same urgency; Billy Gibson hitting the post with a header and Quigley's follow-up requiring a smart smothering save.

Whatever hopes Cork harboured of hauling a point from Inchicore appeared ruined 20 minutes from time when Kelly was dismissed for bundling Quigley, bearing in on goal, to the floor just outside the area. But despite being down a player and manager, Cork rallied gamely at the death as Behan powered a shot home after St Patrick's failed to deal with a teasing corner.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Ryan; Gibson, Maguire, Brennan, Rogers; Murphy, Fahey, Keane (O'Connor 44), Kirby; Quigley (Murphy), Guy.

Cork City:Devine; Horgan, Kelly, Murray, Lordan; McSweeney (O'Donovan 77), Healy, Gamble (O'Brien 40), Farrelly, Kearney (Murphy 73); Behan.

Referee: D Hancock(Dublin).