St Patrick's got a real scare before seeing off Kilkenny City at Richmond Park last night. The league leaders were well below par against the whipping boys of the premier division. But Colin Hawkins's 69th minute headed winner was enough to earn all the points. After just two minutes of the game Kilkenny's fragile defence was torn apart. A wicked cross whipped in from the right left defenders looking bewildered, but Trevor Molloy miscued with his shot from six yards. The ball slipped through for Paul Osam to crack a thunderous drive inches past the post.

Kilkenny addressed themselves to their task and even managed one or two promising raids into the home penalty area. St Patrick's met the challenge, and a Willie Burke cross was almost turned in for an own goal. But there was scant little else to cheer about in this period, as chances were extremely thin on the ground.

In the second half Kilkenny again frustrated their hosts, who ran the show but were unable to make the breakthrough until the 69th minute.

Eddie Gormley's whipped-in free kick deceived the goalkeeper and Hawkins rose highest for a brilliant winner.

St Patrick's Athletic: Wood, Burke, Long, Lynch, Hawkins, Devereaux, (O'Flaherty 68), Morgan (Campbell 76), Gormley, Osam, Molloy (Reilly 68), Gilzean.

Kilkenny: Stephenson, Kelly, Reid, Hall, Breen, Walsh (D), Devereaux, Arrigan, Cooney, Hale (R Walsh 78), Rea.

Referee: B O'Regan (Cork).