SHELBOURNE got back to winning ways in the league with a comfortable win over Wexford Youths at Tolka Park.

Shelbourne 3 Wexford Youths 0

Philly Hughes redeemed himself following his penalty miss in last week's shock cup exit to non-league Sheriff YC with a brace of goals as Shelbourne extended their lead at the top of the First Division table to eight points with a game in hand.

Hughes struck to open the scoring after just two minutes when he was picked out by Brendan McGill's cross form the right to shoot past Packie Holden.

The striker was there again on 23 minutes to finish when he chested down full-back Gareth Matthews' cross to volley to the net for his 14th league goal of the campaign.

Sean Byrne added Shels third goal three minutes into stoppage time at the finish when scooping home the rebound after David Cassidy's shot came back off a post.

 

Finn Harps 0 Monghan United 0

Promotion-chasing Monaghan had to settle for a point in Ballybofey as they were frustrated by Peter Hutton's improving Harps.

It was a well earned point by Harps who had to play for almost an hour with ten men after midfielder Gareth Harkin was harshly sent off on 32 minutes for a high challenge on Sean Brennan.

Monaghan striker Declan "Fabio" O'Brien came close when heading over the bar minutes later, but it was Harps who were the better side for much of the remainder of the game.

With Stephen O'Donnell excellent in Harps' midfield, striker Kevin McHugh twice came close in quick succession early in the second half.

 

Longford Town 2 Mervue United 2

Longford wasted a 2-0 lead as they had to settle for a share of the spoils against Mervue at Flancare Park.

A close range tap-in gave Austin Skelly a goal to put Town in front as early as the fourth minute.

Striker Skelly got his second on 36 minutes with another close range finish.

But Mevue hit back within two minutes. Pat Hoban got on the end of Etanda Nkololo's corner to head past Alvin Rouse.

Hoban then turned provider for Mervue's equaliser ten minutes into the second half.

 Damien O'Rourke met the cross to power his header beyond Rouse to score what was Mervue's 100th Airtricity League goal.

 

 Salthill Devon 1 Athlone Town 3

 Goals from Paul Danagher, Gary Higgins and Tommy Barrett earned Athlone their first win in five games as they beat bottom side Salthill at Drom.

 Town missed a first minute penalty when Devon keeper Ronan Burke saved from the spot from Robbie Murray after James Whelan had fouled Dave Ryan.

But defender Danaher made no mistake to head Town in front on 32 minutes from Ryan's left wing cross.

Devon hit back to level five minutes into the second half. Town keeper Michael Schlingermann failed to hold a corner from Timmy Molloy and Ronan Conlon pounced to shoot the loose ball to the net.

It was a short-lived lead, however, as Town went back in front five minutes later when Higgins' shot beat Burke.

Barrett added the third goal on 69 minutes from a penalty after Whelan had taken down substitute Eoin Monaghan.