Cork City’s players continued to belie their club’s off-field problems in securing their ninth win from 10 games this evening against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

The club faces a winding up petition from the Revenue Commissioners and is believed to be in debt of around €200,000, but on the pitch they are still striking gold and, with goals from Denis Behan (33rd minute) and Colin Healy (54th), they maintained their three point lead on Bohemians.

The defending champions looked to be on their way to a frustrating scoreless draw with bottom placed Drogheda United at Dalymount Park, but Paul Crowley was sent off for the visitors in the 88th minute and Mark Hughes popped up for the winner at the death.

Both Derry City and Shamrock Rovers lost ground on the top two after a 0-0 draw at the Brandwell.

St Patrick’s Athletic moved two points ahead of Dundalk into fifth thanks to a Mark Quigley goal at Oriel Park.