WHITE ON TIME

Hoare pops up with last minute Lilies winner

FOR the second time in five days, Dundalk ground out a late victory with Sean Hoare’s last minute winner breaking St Pat’s resolve at Oriel Park.

After beating Bohemians with a 96th-minute penalty on Monday, Vinny Perth’s side had to dig deep again and a chunk of good fortune helped them maintain their place at the top of the table.

With the clock showing 90 minutes, Michael Duffy’s corner bounced around the area but Kevin Toner’s attempted clearance cannoned off Hoare and flew into the top corner, sparking jubilant scenes.

The visitors created the first real chance of a poor half when Simon Madden’s delivery found Mikey Drennan but he couldn’t keep his header on target.

Saints’ top scorer should have done even better six minutes later when he met

Rhys Mccabe’s free kick but, again, his effort posed no real danger to Gary Rogers.

Dundalk continued to look flat with Sean Murray’s free kick, tipped around the post by Brendan Clarke, the closest they came opening half-hour.

They did show signs of chugging into gear with John Mountney heading over at the far post and Murray curling one into Clarke’s arms.

The introduction of Jordan Flores at the break injected purpose and Ian Bermingham did extremely well to hook a vicious Dean Jarvis cross behind with a number of white shirts ready to pounce. Lilywhites winger Duffy then prodded a Patrick Mceleney ball in the across the face of goal when it looked easier to score.

Saints struggled to make an impression in the final third but almost landed a sucker punch in the 68th minute when Drennan let fly from closerange but Jarvis was on hand to make a big block.

It looked like Saints had taken a point when sub Georgie Kelly glanced a Duffy corner just wide in the 88th minute but luck turned its back on them just two minutes later when Hoare grabbed his fortunate winner.