One moment of magic - after a moment of madness at the other end - earned Shelbourne their first win of the season.
And it was all the sweeter as it condemned neighbours Bohemians to their first defeat of the campaign.
Kian Leavy, sprung from the bench on the hour, was the hero for the Reds with a brilliant strike 12 minutes from time.
11 minutes earlier, Bohs were reduced to 10 men when winger Dylan Connolly received his marching orders for a moment of stupidity.
His run towards the area was stopped by a brilliant JR Wilson sliding challenge.
Connolly wasn’t impressed with Wilson’s display of defensive acumen, however. He jumped back to his feet and charged at the full-back with an arm raised, sending the Shels man tumbling to the ground.
Northern Irish Arnold referee Hunter reached for his top pocket, but sought the view of his assistant on the near side before waving the red card at Connolly.
There was no doubting that decision on a busy night for the whistler, who also handed out seven yellows, including one to Shels manager Damien Duff.
Duff was as animated as ever on the sidelines, roaring at his players, contesting numerous calls with the assistant referee and pacing the length of his technical area throughout.
He wasn’t afraid to issue a public scolding to his players when he saw fit, including one to Shane Farrell on 15 minutes when his pass to the overlapping Wilson lacked the precision to tee up a shooting chance.
Prior to the red card and then Leavy’s strike, it seemed the on-field action would lack the drama of the midweek ticket spat.
A game so hotly anticipated that the away section sold out within minutes threatened for long periods to fizzle into the cold Dublin night.
When Bohs fans started to purchase tickets from a link that was meant only for home fans, it led to some tickets being cancelled.
It didn’t stop a handful of away fans accessing the main stand, which led to a brief delay to kick-off as they were moved to the stand behind Conor Kearns’ goal.
At least 11 flares rained down onto the pitch from the jam-packed area hosting the visiting fans as we awaited referee Hunter’s opening whistle.
Chances were few and far between as both sides huffed and puffed, but served up little in the way of quality.
Mark Coyle from distance and Connolly, racing onto a dangerous Jonathan Afolabi cross at the back post, failed to hit the target.
Bohs’ Adam McDonnell and Shelbourne’s Tyreke Wilson forced straightforward saves, while Kearns saved from Afolabi and Ali Coote after the break.
Then came Connolly’s red, which swung momentum towards the hosts.
They capitalised on 78 minutes when Leavys cut in from the right and angled a brilliant left-footer just inside the upright, beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper James Talbot
