St Pat's kept their title hopes alive with a comfortable victory at Oriel Park last night.

For Dundalk, it was a second defeat in four days but of bigger concern to Lilywhites supporters is the uncertainty hanging over the ownership of the club.

The visitors arrived with an unbeaten record here that stretched back 13 years, and took the lead after 15 minutes.

Sean O'Connor opened the scoring for Pete Mahon's side, lashing home from 35 yards after Peter Cherrie's poor clearance fell straight at his feet.

Before the game restarted, Dundalk were also a man down as Mark Quigley was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

Pat's had chances to extend their lead before the break.

Cherrie redeemed himself with a good stop from Paul Crowley before Daryl Kavanagh and Crowley got in each other's way with just the 'keeper to beat.

O'Connor then squandered a great opportunity, blazing over unmarked from 12 yards.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 57th minute when O'Connor cut in from the right to smash a vicious drive inside Cherrie's near post to compound a miserable week for Dundalk.

In contrast, the Saints' title hopes are still very much alive.

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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	36	72
Derry City	36	65
St Patrick's Athletic	36	62
Shelbourne	36	60
Dundalk	36	58
Bohemian FC	36	58
Drogheda United	36	41
Sligo Rovers	36	37
Cork City	36	31
UCD	36	11