THE NAHUM OFFENDER AS OWN GOAL SEALS IT
NAHUM Melvin-Lambert was sent on at Richmond Park last night as the Saints sought the goal that would alter the Premier Division title race.
The unfortunate 83rd-minute substitute certainly made the difference but it was to put the ball into his own net as his connection to Dylan Watts’ 92nd-minute free-kick earned the champions all three points.
The Hoops’ win — undoubtedly harsh on the Saints — sends them nine points clear of the Inchicore club and with a game in hand. and Matty Smith offering a threat down the flanks and Ian Bermingham raiding from left full.
But Rovers’ defence — again featuring Sean Gannon as the right- sided part of the three-man central defence with Joey O’Brien and Sean Hoare still injured — looked solid.
However, The Saints did have legitimate claims for a 23rd-minute penalty when Burns broke into Rovers’ box on the Pats’ right only to be impeded by Roberto Lopes.
The latter looked sheepish as referee Rob Hennessy allowed play to proceed, the official possibly taking into account that the ball had run away from Burns.
The leaders mounted their first attack of note in the 27th minute when the pacy Barry Cotter raced to the endline and crossed deep for the inrushing Danny Mandroiu, whose right-footed volley was full of venom but short on accuracy as it flew over the bar from 14 yards.
Rovers, having weathered the early Pats’ pressure without breaking sweat, began to grow into the game, with Watts asking questions in his roving role behind Rory Gaffney.
His neat pass set up Mandroiu in the 33rd minute but his shot crashed into the side netting.
Two minutes prior to the interval Watts’ corner from the right picked out Lopes whose near post header was on target but provided an easy save for Vitez Jaros.
The half-time cuppa must have been accompanied by inspirational words from O’Donnell, who went into the ref’s notepad for engaging with fourth official Ben Connolly.
Now it was The Saints who were asking questions of The Hoops, with Forrester presented with two fine opportunities to put his side ahead in the 49th and 50th minutes.
Sam Bone’s deep cross to the far post picked out Forrester who ghosted in behind Gannon but put his diving header wide.
Raced
Within 45 seconds, Burns raced down the right and directed a fine low cross to the near post where Forrester miss-hit his shot off Lopes.
Forrester retired before the hour mark after a blow to the head, with Abankwah also forced out shortly afterwards through injury.
Despite the enforced reshuffle the home side continued to look the more likely to produce a breakthrough and Rovers’ sluggish evening was underlined when Gaffney was replaced by Aaron Greene in the 65th minute.
Mandroiu’s 68th minute free kick sailed over the bar before Mannus produced his wonder save 20 minutes from time.
The Hoops squandered a gilt- edged chance to steal maximum points six minutes later as substitute Aaron Greene fired weakly at Jaros after being sent through one on one by Watts’ smart pass.
O’Donnell sent in Ben McCormack and Nahum Melvin-Lambert late on in one final throw of the dice.
However, Rovers finished the game with a flourish as Jaros denied Towell and Watts with a double save in the 88th minute before Watts’ fine delivery produced the winner.