St Patrick's Athletic 1 Dundalk 2:TWO LATE free-kicks from substitute Mark Griffin earned Dundalk an unexpected victory over the previously unbeaten St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park. That the victory was achieved despite playing the second period with 10 men merely added to Dundalk's satisfaction.

Striker Michael Rafter was red carded at the break following an alleged tunnel incident with a colleague with Pat’s already ahead courtesy of Chris Forrester.

Saints seized the initiative early on, dominating possession with Ger O’Brien, Greg Bolger, and John Russell forming a clever midfield trio. Still, the Saints failed to convert their opportunities, as Russell was denied by the post in the ninth minute following a Jake Kelly free-kick, then on 21 minutes Christy Fagan headed over.

Pat’s patience was eventually rewarded two minutes before the interval. O’Brien’s corner located the unmarked Forrester, who confidently headed the Saints ahead.

Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie made excellent saves in the second half from Forrester, Fagan and O’Brien before the Lilywhites grabbed a shock equaliser on 78 minutes. Substitute Griffin embarked on a dashing run, but was fouled on the edge of the area by Russell. He got up to slam the free-kick to the net, and incredibly repeated the trick in stoppage-time to seal a surprise win.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Clarke; Flynn, Kenna, Browne, Bermingham; OBrien, Bolger, Russell; Forrester, Fagan (Daly, 74), J Kelly (D Kelly, 46).

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McLaughlin, Burns, Foran, Osbourne; Waters (Griffin, 46), Shields, Mountney, McDonnell (McKenna, 46); Thomas (Walsh, 34); Rafter.

Referee: G Kelly (Cork).