Shelbourne go into the second leg of the League Cup semi-final with a one-goal lead after the first leg at Oriel Park last night, but they should have had a much more substantial advantage from the game. Both sides looked jaded in this drab game which marked the clubs' third encounter in 12 days.

Dundalk appeared to make a bright start when youngster David Hoey burst through a hesitant Shelbourne defence after only 60 seconds, but after beating Alan Gough in the Shelbourne goal, he ran too wide and missed a glorious scoring opportunity.

After that, however, it all went wrong for the home side as Shelbourne managed to dampen their best efforts. It was fitting that the only saves Alan Gough had to make were from two long-range efforts, the first from Raymond McCoy, midway through the first half and the second on 70 minutes, a 35-yard shot by Dundalk's young French player, Stephane Jauny.

The only goal of the game came three minutes before half-time when Dave Smith ran from the halfway line after a quickly-taken free kick, played a 1-2 with Tony Sheridan and found himself clear to shoot to the Dundalk net from about 10 yards.

Dundalk brought Mick Doohan forward to try and make a dent in the Shelbourne defence in the second period, but he was well guarded by Mick Neville and never really threatened. Shelbourne, for their part, were dangerous on the counter attack, especially after Dessie Baker came on as a substitute in the 57th minute and Dean Fitzgerald missed at least three good scoring opportunities at various times in a disappointing second half.

Dundalk: Williams, Jauny, Crawley, Doohan, McNulty, Melvin, McCoy, Carlyle, Hoey, Ward and Byrne. Subs: Wigg for Ward (55 mins).

Shelbourne: Gough, Vadequin, Neville, Sheridan, Geoghegan, Rutherford, Costello, Fenlon, Smith and Fitzgerald. Subs: Baker for Sheridan (57 mins), Campbell for Vadequin (70 mins).

Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).