St Patrick's Ath 5 Finn Harps 1:A SEVENTH goal from his last four league games by Mark Quigley capped another accomplished display from the St Patrick's Athletic striker as he helped his side come from behind to move a point clear at the top of the table.
And though now second-placed Bohemians have two games in hand, this, their biggest win of the season following their impressive 3-0 win at Derry City last week, has greatly revitalised St Patrick's title aspiration.
Unchanged, St Patrick's began with the confidence garnered from the Brandywell with Quigley racing through the middle to bring a comfortable second-minute save from Gavin Cullen.
It was a positive start from the home side that was soon dampened, though, as Harps stole the lead with their first attack on six minutes.
St Patrick's defence wasn't tuned in from Harps' captain Shaun Holmes's free-kick in from the left and central defender Stuart Malcolm climbed well to score with a looping header from the edge of the area.
With six goals from his previous three league games, Quigley oozed confidence and he tested Cullen again at the other end on 17 minutes, clever footwork followed by a curling shot that the Harps' goalkeeper had to push away at full stretch.
A mere reprieve it was, though, as St Patrick's were level within four minutes. Des Byrne's long throw wasn't cleared and the ball fell to midfielder Alan Kirby whose right-foot volley found the top corner from 16 yards If the defending for that was dubious, it was positively negligent as St Patrick's were all but gifted the lead on 33 minutes.
Keith Fahey worked a short corner with Damien Lynch to cross. Though they had the numbers in the area, no Harps defender attacked the ball which fell to Stephen Paisley who shot home from six yards.
A double strike within four minutes of the restart ended the game as a contest.
Quigley got his reward when beginning and finishing a move involving Kirby and Fahey to round Cullen and slide the ball home on 47 minutes.
A route one approach brought the fourth goal. Captain Jamie Harris sent the ball over the top to Ryan Guy.
The control was good from the American whose subsequent shot was merely parried by Cullen to give Glen Fitzpatrick a simple tap-in.
Paisley added the fifth on 75 minutes with another close range finish from Fitzpatrick's pull back after Cullen couldn't hold Fahey's drilled shot.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Barry Ryan; Lynch (Haverty 78), Harris (O'Cearuill 78), Paisley, Byrne; Guy, Fahey, Dempsey, Kirby; Fitzpatrick, Quigley (O'Neill 68).
FINN HARPS: Cullen; Roddy, Malcolm, Boyle (Gill, half-time), Holmes; Breen (Friel 63), Funston, McGowan, Tyrrell; Gethins, Parkhouse (Ramsey 63).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
