Both Cork City and Derry City, runaway leaders of the Eircom league Premier Division, suffered shock home defeats on Friday evening. The Leesiders entertained struggling St Patricks Athletic at Turners Cross and despite dominating the game throughout, fell to the proverbial sucker punch mid way through the second half, when St. Pats centre back Darragh Maguire was left unattended at the back post to head a simple winner.

Meanwhile, up in the Brandywell, Waterford United created perhaps an even greater shock with their single goal victory over Derry City. The 'blues' fought a sterling rearguard action following their surprise opening goal scored after sixteen minutes by Vinny Sullivan, with goalkeeper Packie Holden being the unquestioned man of the match.

With their foot of the table rivals both gaining three unexpected points, Shamrock Rovers slipped back into the relegation zone when they succumbed to a one goal defeat by Bray Wanderers. The 'hoops' were undone on fifty minutes when 'old boy' Paul Caffrey fired home from the edge of the area.

Finn Harps travelled to Tolka Park in Dublin and despite putting up a brave performance, fell to a single goal defeat by Shelbourne. With only three matches remaining, it would appear that this defeat has sealed the fate of the Donegal outfit who now appear doomed to return to the First Division.

In another of the frequent 'Dublin Derbies', UCD, who are hovering just above the relegation area, were defeated 3-1 at their Belfield Park home, by North Dublin rivals Bohemian. Star of the show for the 'Gypsies' was two goal Fergal Harkin.