Finn Harps - 0 Shelbourne - 3: Defending champions Shelbourne dished out a warning to their rivals that they are still intent on retaining their crown after a convincing display at Finn Park last night which leaves the home side in a precarious position in the table.

Shelbourne, who went into this game on the back of four straight league wins, knew that victory was required to keep alive their outside chance of retaining the title.

After scoring 13 goals in their last four games they again turned on the style in the first half as they totally outplayed Finn Harps and really should have had the game sewn up much earlier.

Last week, Shelbourne hit Waterford for five and they could have done the same against the Donegal side within the first 45 minutes.

Indeed, Harps could have been two down within three minutes. Gary O'Neill had a first minute shot blocked by Harps' overworked goalkeeper Gavin Cullen while Jason Byrne then hit the post with a looping header.

It was one-way traffic with Joseph Ndo and Jim Crawford dictating in midfield while Bobby Ryan and O'Neill looked particularly lively when venturing forward.

Ryan fired narrowly wide after Jonathan Minnock slipped inside the box on 24 minutes and Byrne then struck the crossbar with a thumping 25 yard free that deserved a better reward.

Shelbourne's efforts were finally rewarded in the 44th minute when Ryan supplied the cross from the right for O'Neill to connect and score from close range.

At the other end, Harps rarely threatened and their only shot on target, from Kevin McHugh, was easily dealt with by Dean Delaney.

Harps started the second half on a brighter note and conjured up a couple of chances early in the half with the best of them falling to Michael Funston in the 59th minute but Dean Delaney pulled off a great save to tip the ball over for a corner.

Byrne, who had scored seven goals in his last three outings, then effectively bagged the points as he got the second for Shelbourne in the 62nd minute when he rose above the defence to head home a Bobby Ryan corner. The Tolka Park side then put the icing on the cake in injury time as Dave Rogers scored from the penalty spot after Ndo was taken down by Delcan Boyle.

This result leaves Harps second from bottom and still battling to avoid the drop.

FINN HARPS: Cullen, Asokuh, Minnock, Boyle, Bradley, Funston, Capper, Gethins, Breen, McHugh, Gorman.

SHELBOURNE: Delaney, Heary, Cahill, Rogers, Hawkins, Crawford, Ryan, Ndo, O'Neill, Byrne, Houlihan.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)