League leaders Shamrock Rovers probably had a tougher task in defeating bottom-of-the-table Monaghan United than they bargained for at Century Homes Park yesterday.

Both managers had enforced changes through injury and suspension but Rovers were quicker into their stride, although they had a shock in the second minute when a Trevor Vaughan volley from outside the penalty area crashed off the inside of the crossbar.

But Rovers went ahead in the sixth minute when a great run and cross by Richie Byrne reached Shane Robinson, who set Stephen Grant up to beat Gareth Downey from close range.

In the 20th minute a great tackle by Tony Dunne stopped Darren McKenna yards from the goal and in the 30th minute McKenna again burst through to be foiled by goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd.

Monaghan equalised in the 32nd minute when James O'Callaghan was knocked over in the box and the referee awarded a penalty, converted by Vaughan.

In the next minute Robinson wasted a good chance when he shot over the Monaghan crossbar. Jason Colwell replaced Rovers' star defender Pat Scully at the interval and the Dubliners had another shock in the first minute after the break when only a desperate tackle by O'Dowd stopped McKenna.

At the other end Terry Palmer headed narrowly over from a corner a minute later before Derek Treacy scored the best goal of the game, powerfully heading home a Richie Byrne cross from the left.

In the 65th minute Rovers went 3-1 up when a left-foot free kick by Tommy Dunne from the right wing went into the top corner of the Monaghan goal.

The exchanges were keen at that stage and Monaghan grabbed a consolation goal in the 77th minute when Robbie Brunton headed to the net.

MONAGHAN: Downey, McCarville, (White 73 mins), O'Callaghan (Lundy 78 mins), Brunton, Place, McGrath, Mieir (Ferncombe 86 mins) Murphy, Vaughan, McKenna, Shiels.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd, Kavanagh, Dunne, Deans, Palmer, Scully, Tracey, T Grant, S Grant, Robinson, Byrne.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).