Winning was relegated to mere consolation for Shamrock Rovers manager Mick Byrne as he labelled his players unprofessional. Nevertheless, they made up two points on the three teams above them after a frustrating victory over Kilkenny City at Tolka Park yesterday.

A tremendous first league goal of the season from Matt Britton keeps Rovers in fourth place in the table. They utterly outplayed Kilkenny, but failed to increase their winning margin with a host of missed chances, and an excellent save or two from John Connolly, in the second-half.

"We simply weren't professional enough and didn't kill them off when we should have done," said Byrne afterwards. Rovers twice came close before Britton's excellent strike finally gave their dominance some substance in the 33rd minute. Paul Stokes was played free down the right by Purdy and he laid the ball back for the advancing Britton, who struck a first-time shot with the inside of his right foot which flew past Connolly and into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Britton had a terrific opportunity for a second goal four minutes before half-time when played through by Mark O'Neill, but the impressive, and very busy, Connolly positioned himself superbly to parry Britton's fiercelystruck shot and the ball was scrambled clear for a corner.

Rovers utterly dominated the second-half right from the kick off when Stokes just failed to connect with Cousins' cross inside a minute. Connolly then kept Kilkenny in the match with a fine stop to deprive Jason Colwell of a goal nine minutes later.

Shamrock Rovers: Forde; Purdy, Whelan, Brazil, Dunne; Britton, O'Neill, Colwell, Morrisroe ; Cousins, Stokes. Subs: Tracey for Morrisroe, 56 mins.

Kilkenny City: Connolly; Maher, Smith, Rea, R. Walsh; Hale, P. Walsh, Hall, Cooney; Honan, Kelly. Subs: O'Connor for Cooney, 66 mins; Devereaux for Maher, 69 mins; Power for Hall, 77 mins.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).