St Patrick's Athletic manager Pete Mahon has targeted a second-place finish ahead of tonight's Airtricity League Premier Division tie against Dundalk at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Mahon conceded the league title a couple of weeks ago, but still believes his side can make up the seven-point gap on Bohemians.

Some people might feel it doesn't matter where we finish as long as we get into Europe but it matters to me and we are aiming to try and finish in second place,' Mahon said.

'Dundalk is a crucial game and one that can make a tremendous difference as to where we finish.

'While Bohemians are trying to catch Rovers we are trying to catch them and a win tomorrow brings us within four points of them with a home game against them coming up.'

Mahon will be boosted by the return of David McAllister from suspension, while both Garreth O'Connor and Chris Bennion are available after being cup-tied for last Saturday's win over Sporting Fingal.

The Saints are still without the injured Paul Byrne (ankle), Gareth Coughlan (broken leg) and defender Shane Guthrie (dead leg).

Dundalk are five points clear of the relegation play-off zone, but manager Ian Foster will want to become mathematically safe as soon as possible.

History would suggest he will have to find those points elsewhere as the Lilywhites have a dreadful recent record on their visits to Inchicore.

Tom McNulty is the last man to score a league goal for Dundalk at Richmond Park. That goal came on 26 November 1998, while you have to go back to 2 April 1989 to find Dundalk's last Premier Division win on the banks of the Camac.

Foster's men have had mixed results of late, with the 5-1 win over league leader Shamrock Rovers followed by a 2-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Bray Wanderers.

The visitors will travel is without suspended defender Shaun Kelly, while former St Pat's midfielder Alan Cawley is still recovering from a back injury.

Next Fixture

St Mochtas / October 8th @ 7:45pm
Competition: Leinster Senior Cup
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shelbourne	32	54
Derry City	31	50
Shamrock Rovers	32	49
Galway United FC	32	49
St Patrick's Athletic	32	47
Sligo Rovers	32	47
Waterford FC	32	43
Bohemian FC	31	36
Drogheda United	32	32
Dundalk	32	24