Champions Shelbourne fell to their first defeat of the Women’s National League season as were edged out by DLR Waves at the UCD Bowl.
Waves, playing their first home game since the opening day six weeks ago, overcame the Reds thanks to a well-timed Katie Malone finish just before half time.
The striker executed a calm lob over Shels keeper Amanda Budden two minutes before the interval after Waves had withstood an extended period of early pressure.
DLR eased their way to victory despite an injury-time scare from a Shels side going all-out to re-establish their place in the title race ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Athlone Town.
Shels were quick out of the blocks and tested Eve Badana early on as Irish international Jess Ziu tried her luck from distance.
Waves’ first chance arrived on 19 minutes as former Shels defender Jess Gleeson got her head on a cross at the back stick but she couldn’t find the target.
Shauna Fox nodded a Noelle Murray free kick over the bar before Abbie Larkin did brilliantly to deny striker Abbie Larkin as she looked to round the keeper one-on-one.
Irish international Larkin then shot over from the edge of the box as Shels looked to press home their dominance, but there was a sting in the tail on 43 minutes.
A ball over the top from Mia Dodd sat up for Malone and, with Shels keeper Amanda Budden committed to sweep, she lofted the ball over the keeper and into the empty net.
It was rough justice for a Shels side who had kept hold of the ball and created the better chances during the opening period, and Waves showed their game management after the break.
Shels boss Noel King took action at the break as Saoirse Noonan, on loan from Durham as she recovers from injury, replaced her fellow international Keeva Keenan at half time.
They had a half-chance as Jessie Stapleton, playing further forward than usual in midfield, found Larkin but her shot from range was an easy gather for Badana.
Kerri Letmon had a blem from distance moments later but, likewise, it was a comfortable take for Budden in the Reds goal.
Letmon and Noonan exchanged shots wide of the target before Malone was unfortunate to see her shot clear the bar following an outstanding piece of build-up play.
Gleeson cleared a Gloria Douglas header off the line and Niamh Prior, who replaced the injured Nicole Keogh, forced Budden into a save at the other end.
Noonan glanced a header wide late on and Douglas ignored a three-on-one in injury time before blasting over Badana’s bar.
Sub Joy Ralph had a chance to seal it for Waves moments later as she picked off a short backpass but Budden was out quickly to save.
Shels couldn’t muster another chance, however, and the champions fell to their first defeat of the season, though they have a chance to bounce back in Wexford on Tuesday.
DLR Waves: Eve Badana; Aoife Brophy, Jess Gleeson, Lynn Craven, Nicole Keogh (Niamh Prior 45); Nadine Clare, Sophie Watters (Rachel Doyle 63), Mia Dodd; Sarah McKevitt, Kerri Letmon, Katie Malone (Joy Ralph 69).
Shelbourne: Amanda Budden; Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Shauna Fox (Jemma Quinn 81), Chloe Mustaki; Jessie Stapleton, Rachel Graham (Alex Kavanagh 76), Noelle Murray (Lia O’Leary 89); Jess Ziu, Keeva Keenan (Saoirse Noonan 46), Abbie Larkin (Gloria Douglas 76).
