LEAGUE OF IRELAND:ON A miserable evening at Oriel Park, Dundalk suffered defeat to Shamrock Rovers as Stephen Rice's goal earned the Tallaght side a hard-fought win.

Dundalk had the first sighting of goal in the eighth minute as Harpal Singh’s cross found Darren Mansaram at the far post but his control let him down. Rovers took the lead three minutes later. Stephen Bradley swung in a free-kick that Shaun Kelly and Dave Rogers could only half-clear. The ball fell for Rice and he found the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Dundalk were fortunate not to fall further behind in the 24th minute when Padraig Amond curled his effort into the side netting. Dundalk’s best chance of the half came seven minutes to the break when Rovers goalkeeper Robert Duggan spilled Shaun Kelly’s half-volley into the path of Chris Turner but somehow he recovered to turn the shot away. Seconds later Bradley was dismissed for a second booking.

The second half was one-way traffic. Duggan turned over a Mansaram effort from the left before scrambling to divert Michael Daly’s mis-kick away from goal in the 68th minute. Substitute Declan O’Brien saw his shot tipped round his post. Chris Turner almost equalised with a late volley which dipped over the bar but Rovers stood firm to pull Rovers clear of the relegation zone.

DUNDALK:Bennion, Shaun Kelly, Simon Kelly, Burns, Rogers; Turner, Daly, O'Callaghan, Singh; Mulvenna (O'Brien, 68 mins), Mansaram.

SHAMROCK ROVERS:Duggan, Tracey, Maguire, Webb, Bermingham; Bradley, Rice, Robinson, Cameron; Twigg (Purcell, 64 mins), Amond (Cahill, 45 mins).

Referee:Dave McKeon (Meath).