First half goals from Richie Baker and David McAllister restored Shelbourne’s five point lead at the top of the table as each side finished with ten men.

Baker collected Anto Flood’s 24th minute pass to cheekily toe the ball past Ciaran Gallagher at his near post for the lead goal.

McAllister doubled that on 35 minutes with a twice taken penalty after Ian Rossiter had impeded David Cassidy.

Harps’ defender Seamus Sharkey was then sent off on 41 minutes following a foul on Baker, his second booking.

Shels’ midfielder Mark O’Brien also saw red within four minutes for his second yellow card for a silly tackle on Paddy Bonner.

Harps scored the best goal of the night on 66 minutes when David McGill misjudged the bounce of the ball to let Marc Brolly in behind and the striker cut across to score with a rising shot.