Despite a domineering performance, tenants Shamrock Rovers just couldn't accommodate their landlords, Shelbourne, and enhance their own European ambitions as they were destined for a frustrating defeat at Tolka Park yesterday.

In a scintillating game full of incident, including the sending-off of Rovers' Richie Purdy, St Patrick's title challenge survived a right battering to see them jump over Shelbourne to regain the lead at the top of the Premier Division and in the process guarantee themselves at least a UEFA Cup place next season and a rousing finish to this title race.

Rovers virtually ran the game from the start only to lose to a goal that owed as much to bad defending as it did to Colin Hawkins' emphatic finish.

Rovers wouldn't have appreciated the "funny old game" cliche as they trooped off a goal down at half-time.

They utterly dominated the first half, forcing six corners as against none for St Patrick's, but wasted several excellent chances.

And, as can so often happen in football, St Patrick's punished Rovers' only indiscretion of the first half to take the lead with their only serious attack.

A somewhat dubiously awarded free-kick out on the left was whipped accurately over to the back post. The marking was poor as Eddie Gormley's stooping header was desperately cleared off the line by Gino Brazil. But the ball ran straight to the lurking Hawkins who gleefully drove it to the back of the net with his right foot from 12 yards.

It was a lesson scarcely lost on Rovers' attackers, Brian Morrisroe and Tony Cousins, who had missed glorious chances in that first half.

Morrisroe's, in particular, was a glaring miss. Coming after only four minutes, the delightfully constructed move up the right deserved better.

Matt Britton's throw was touched down first-time by Cousins for Derek Tracey. He swept the ball across the edge of the St Patrick's area; Marc Kenny ran over it to set up Morrisroe, but his shot was well wide with only Trevor Wood to beat.

Cousins volleyed over when he might have hit the target on 17 minutes before he glanced a header from Kenny's cross inches wide a minute later.

Rovers then had a Paul Whelan goal disallowed for a foul on Wood by Purdy on 27 minutes only to find themselves behind four minutes later.

Wood had to earn his match fee before the break, as Rovers responded positively to their concession. The St Patrick's goalkeeper pushed over an inswinging corner from Kenny, while he then had to race out to gather a difficult longrange shot from Morrisroe after it had bounced off his chest.

Rovers continued to be the better side into the second half, but fluffed another great chance on 57 minutes. Tracey and Cousins combined to set up Purdy but the midfielder shot well wide when he should have hit the target.

The industrious Purdy was then guilty of a worse indiscretion four minutes later when he was sent off for a late challenge on Leon Braithwaite, his second bookable offence.

Rovers raised their game again and continued to go at St Patrick's. But the visitors were now finding space on the break and Ian Gilzean, a mere spectator for much of the game, rattled the Rovers crossbar with a left-foot drive from 20 yards seven minutes from the end.

"We're in Europe and that's given our fans what they wanted," said St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan. "I don't know what will happen in the remaining few games. But I tell you what, we needed a win today. It was put up to us and we did it."

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Britton, Brazil, Whelan, Dunne; Tracey, Colwell, Purdy, Kenny, Morrisroe; Cousins. Subs: Lynch for Morrisroe (63 mins), Francis for Kenny (77 mins).

St Patrick's Athletic: Wood; Burke, Hawkins, Moody, Doyle; Osam, Gormley, Morgan; Molloy, Gilzean, Braithwaite. Subs: Croly for Molloy (77 mins).

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).