LOI PREMIER DIVISION - Cobh Ramblers 0 St Patrick's Ath 1:ST PATRICK'S Athletic stretched their lead at the top of the table to four points on Saturday evening courtesy of a 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers at St Colman's Park.
It was a frustrating first-half for the league leaders however, as a disciplined Cobh defence starved them of opportunities.
Ryan Guy, Mark Quigley and Keith Fahey all tried their luck with long-range efforts during the opening 45 minutes, none of which hit the target.
The game did open up in the second-half and the first chance fell to Cobh in the 52nd minute.
Kenny Coleman's free-kick from the right found the head of Stephen Mulcahy, but his attempt went over the crossbar.
It was the visitors who took the lead in the 64th minute and the breakthrough came in the shape of a debut goal for Derek O'Brien.
Ryan Guy flicked on Damien Lynch's cross from the right and O'Brien finished emphatically at the far post.
Glen Fitzpatrick came close to adding a second goal with 10 minutes remaining, but his deflected shot from the edge of the box was wonderfully saved by Cobh goalkeeper James McCarthy.
Cobh pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but St Patrick's Athletic managed to hold on for another important victory, as they maintained their position at the summit of the league table.
COBH RAMBLERS:McCarthy; Coleman, Murray, J Kearney, Meade; O'Neill, O'Halloran, O'Brien, Mulcahy (Gaynor 75), Lally (Kavanagh, 70); Cummins.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Ryan; Lynch, Harris, Paisley, Byrne; Guy, Dempsey, Fahey, Kirby (O'Brien, half-time); Fitzpatrick, Quigley.
Referee:Paul Tuite (Dublin)
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