Paul Byrne scored the vital goal for the Saints, netting after just four minutes. However, the Saints' task was made difficult after 37 minutes when they were reduced to ten men after David McAllister was shown a straight red card.

Byrne scored early after scoring on the rebound after Derek Doyle's shot was blocked by Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie.

The home side was forced into a personnel change after just 34 minutes when Damien Lynch picked-up a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Derek Pender.

More changes were needed just three minutes later when McAllister was shown a straight red after getting involved in a tussle with Stephen Maher.

However, even with an extra man Dundalk could not penetrate the home defence and Gary Rogers was rarely threatened.

St Patrick's Ath: Rogers; Lynch (Pender 34), Bermingham, Kenna, Guthrie; McAllister, S Byrne, Doyle (Coughlan 67), Guy; P Byrne, Faherty (Mulcahy 42).

Dundalk: Cherrie; Kelly (J Breen 73), Hatswell, Miller (Cawley 65), G Breen; Burns, Maher, Gaynor (Mulvenna 90), Melligan; Fenn, Kuduzovic.

Referee: D Hanney.