SHAMROCK ROVERS EARNED a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Shelbourne at Tolka Park this evening.
Paul Byrne gave Shels an early lead, as he forced it in following a goal-line scramble from a corner.
Rovers equalised when Gary Twigg capitalised on a rebound, after Graham Gartland’s header was saved.
The hosts endured a further setback soon after, when Anto Murphy was sent off for a late challenge on Conor Powell.
Philip Hughes put Shels in the driving seat once more in the 64th minute, hitting it low past the keeper from a narrow angle.
Gary McCabe then responded for the visitors, when his shot from distance deflected off Brian Shorthall to make it 2-2.
Twigg then won it for his side with just over ten minutes remaining, diverting another ambitious effort from McCabe into the net.
The result puts Rovers into second place in the table, five points behind Sligo, while Shelbourne remain in 6th position.
