Cork City 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1:Ryan Guy caused high drama as he scored a late winner for St Patrick's Athletic to deny hosts Cork City at Turner's Cross this evening.

Jeff Kenna's side made the best start and could have gone ahead in the opening 10 minutes, but Stephen Maher missed a golden opportunity for the visitors.

A mix-up in Pat's defence at the other end nearly gifted Denis Behan a chance for Cork but Pat's goalkeeper Gary Rogers was able to hand away the effort to safety.

In an end-to-end game Danny Murphy saved Cork on the half hour mark as he got in the way of Glen Fitzpatrick's strike on goal.

The Leesiders almost went ahead just before the break when Behan was again denied by Rogers from a well-taken free kick.

Dan Murray and Jason Gavin both went close in the early stages of the second half, before Behan finally appeared to have given Cork the lead. He brilliantly tucked away Faz Kuduzovic's cross from the right but the effort was ruled out for off-side.

With time running out, Cork pressed for a winner but they were caught on the break when Guntras Silagailis was dispossessed by Gareth O'Connor in midfield.

O'Connor released Guy with an excellent through ball and the American attacker drilled the ball beyond the reach of Dan Connor to send Pat's back to Inchicore with all three points.

Cork City: Connor; Horgan, Sullivan, Murray, Murphy; Gamble, Healy, O'Donnell (S Duggan, 66 mins); Silagailis, Behan, Kuduzovic (C Duggan, 69 mins).

St Patrick's Athletic: Rogers; Gavin, Harris, Partridge, Stevens; Maher (D Ryan, 77 mins), O'Connor, Byrne, B Ryan; Guy, Fitzpatrick (Cawley, 90 mins).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).