Finn Harps 0 - 1 St Patricks Athletic

ST Patrick's Athletic bagged the win at Finn Park tonight to ensure that the title race keeps going for another week, at least, as Mark Quigley's goal five minutes into the second-half gave the Dubliners all three points from their trip to Ballybofey.

Quigley riffled home the only goal of the game to bag the win - their third of the season over troubled Harps - and they could even afford the luxury of the same player missing a second-half penalty on their way to victory.

Pats were deserving winners on the night, though Harps could have snatched a draw late on with Conor Gethins and Austin Friel having good chances - but the visitors were never really troubled to any great effect.

The downbeat hosts, whose staff earlier this week accepted a 50% reduction in wages going forward, welcomed Jonathan Minnock back from suspension. The experienced defender took the place of the injured Shaun Holmes at left-back. In a late blow to the home side's preparations, Stephen Parkhouse had to withdraw, with Conor Gethins elevated to the starting line up for the first time in a month.

The Lifford man saw a seventh minute shot trickle wide, before a powerful drive from Mark Quigley rebounded back off Declan Boyle at the other end. And Harps breathed a sigh of relief soon after when Aaron Labonte deflected a cross from Guy over the bar.

Chris Breen had a couple of good chances for Harps as the home side started to press. The winger curled off target from 15 yards before forcing Barry Ryan into conceding a corner with a low drive on the half-hour mark.

Gary Dempsey headed over from another testing Guy delivery and on the stroke of half-time, Keith Fahey drove a free-kick off target and the sides parted for the interval with the stalemate intact. Five minutes into the second-half, Pats' moved into the driving seat.

Fahey and Fitzpatrick combined to set up Quigley, who turned Declan Boyle before riffling home his 23rd goal of the season into the bottom corner of the net.

Just five minutes later, the Saints missed a glorious chance to double the lead when they were awarded a penalty following a foul by Minnock on Guy. However, Harps stopper James Gallagher was down well to keep out Quigley's effort.

Gallagher saved the day again for Harps 20 minutes from time when he brilliantly saved from Guy, who latched onto a pull-back from Quigley inside the area.

Harps were denied what looked a certain penalty when Gethins went down under the challenge of Damian Lynch, but referee Tom Connolly shook the head at the home side's claims.

Gethins shot into the arms of Ryan late on while sub Austin Friel drove wastefully wide when presented with a shooting chance on the edge of the box. Harps threw on Stuart Malcolm to add an aerial threat to their attack late on, but their efforts were in vain.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Marc Mukendi, Declan Boyle, Aaron Labonte, Jonathan Minnock; Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan, Neil McCafferty, Chris Breen; Gary Beckett, Conor Gethins.
Subs: David Tyrell for Beckett (65 mins); Austin Friel for Funston (71 mins); Stuart Malcolm for Breen (85 mins).

St Patrick's Athletic: Barry Ryan; Damian Lynch, Jamie Harris, Jason Gavin, Dave Rodgers; Ryan Guy, Gary Dempsey, Keith Fahey, Derek O'Brien; Mark Quigley, Glen Fitzpatrick.
Sub: Alan Kirby for O'Brien (85 mins).

Referee: Tom Connolly.