Eoin Doyle was on the double as St Patrick’s Athletic found a way to overcome Finn Harps at Richmond Park on Friday night.
The striker scored once either side of half time to take his tally for the season to four goals and maintain Saints ’ position in the top three.
The Athletic now sit seven points behind leaders Derry City as they prepare to welcome the Candystripes to Inchicore next Friday.
It was far from easy for Tim Clancy’s side, who were frustrated by an inspired Mark McGinley in the Harps goal before Doyle broke the deadlock just before half time.
The Harps keeper pulled off a string of fine saves during the first half as Saints battered the visitors’ goal with a succession of chances.
McGinley pulled off a stunning save to deny the in-form Ben McCormack early on as the playmaker cut in from the left to shoot.
A lovely Darragh Burns flick set James Abankwah free and he pulled back for McCormack to go close again, Ethan Boyle throwing his body in the way of his shot.
McGinley was unable to hold a Burns shot moments later and Doyle looked set to tap home, but Regan Donelon did enough to put the former Bolton striker off.
Pats continued to press and McCormack’s cross was very nearly turned home at the back post by Burns, only for McGinley to save.
They eventually hit the front seven minutes from half time as Billy King did brilliantly to dig out a cross and Doyle leaped high to head into the corner.
There was some consternation from the Harps bench just before the hour as Ethan Boyle was penalised for blocking Joe Redmond from a corner.
Doyle took full advantage from the bench and sent McGinley the wrong way while Ollie Horgan continued his appeals to the fourth official.
Horgan introduced Yoyo Mahdy and Jesse Devers in search of a route back in but it was a defender, Donelon, who forced Tom Grivosti into a last-ditch block.
Mahdy profited from some confusion in the Pats box before forcing a top-class stop from Anang, before shooting over moments later.
As they pushed for a consolation late on, Doyle came within a whisker on sealing his hat-trick on the break, but he couldn’t pick out the bottom corner.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; James Abankwah (Jack Scott 46), Tom Grivosti (Ian Bermingham 82), Joe Redmond, Anto Breslin; Adam O’Reilly, Chris Forrester, Ben McCormack (Rónán Coughlan 78); Darragh Burns (Jay McClelland 76), Billy King (Mark Doyle 76), Eoin Doyle.
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Ryan Rainey, Ethan Boyle, Rob Slevin, Regan Donelon; Elie-Gael N’Zeyi, Bastien Héry (Mark Timlin 49), Barry McNamee (Luke Rudden 82); Eric McWoods (Yoyo Mahdy 66), Jose Carrillo (Jesse Devers 66), Filip Mihaljovic.
Referee: Adriano Reale (Kildare).
