Shelbourne continue to breathe down the neck of league leaders Athlone after an enthralling victory at Eamonn Deacy Park over fellow title hopefuls Galway United.
Kate Mooney continued her red-hot form in front of goal to take a huge three points back to Dublin as a brave Galway side fell just short in front of a crowd of 1,239.
The teamtalk was simple for both Phil Trill and Eoin Wearen - win and keep the title race going for another week - while knowing in the back of their minds that a draw would give Athlone the opportunity to wrap up the title later at home to Shamrock Rovers.
Both sides started at a relentless pace, reflecting the knockout tie feel to the occasion and it was the visitors who were a whisker from taking the lead early on when Leah Doyle produced two inswinging corners of the highest quality.
The first was whipped to the front post forcing Galway skipper Jenna Slattery to narrowly miss the target with a flick on that could have gone anywhere.
And from the resulting corner, Doyle almost scored direct this time with a deeper delivery that was inches away from the farpost.
The hosts went flying down the opposite end and Slattery showed her quality taking on all-comers before delivering a pinpoint cross onto the unmarked Emily Kavanaugh's head who failed to hit the target.
And with 10-minutes played it was the FAI Cup finalists that hit the front.
Created brilliantly by Noelle Murray who cleverly released the in-form Christie Gray - with two assists and a goal in her last outing - who saw her powerful shot initially well-parried by Jessica Berlin into the path of Leah Doyle.
Her first time follow-up effort was quickly blocked by Therese Kinnevey, but unfortunately for the right back, saw the ball fall kindly to Mooney who scooped the ball coolly over Berlin from just a couple of yards out.
Moments later Alex Kavanagh, who had been nursing an injury in recent weeks, had her head in her hands as she looked on in disbelief at how she hasn't doubled her side’s lead.
The classy midfielder saw her delightful free-kick from just outside the area beat both the wall and Berlin, but come off the frame of the goal.
Mooney thought she had gotten her second of the game in the 37th minute as she latched onto a deep Leah Doyle cross from the left and in one excellent touch collected the ball and finished past Berlin only to see the flag go up for offside, although on second viewing potentially looked onside.
Julie-Ann Russell and Jenna Slattery continued to carry the biggest goal scoring threat for the home side and the latter saw a free-kick from distance well tipped over by Amanda McQuillan
The action packed encounter showed no signs of slowing after the break. Irealnd International Russell was like a woman possessed every time she picked up possession driving at the heart of the opposition, trying desperately to get her side level.
But on the hour mark it was the visitors who should have been further ahead when Gray stood up an inviting cross to skipper Pearl Slattery, who found a yard of space in the area but headed straight at Berlin with the goal at her mercy.
Both Aislinn Meaney and Gray exchanged glorious chances to score as the game entered the dying embers.
The home side threw everything in their armoury at Shels and with just a couple of minutes remaining forced the huge opportunity their relentless pressure was building to, but having been slipped in through on goal, Rola Olusola couldn’t sort her feet in time to get a shot away.
However, she did manage to tee up Jenna Slattery on the edge of the area as Shels bodies flew in to block the ball and earn their side a massive three points to put the pressure back on Athlone Town, who saw their lead at the top cut to three points after a 3-3 thriller at home to Shamrock Rovers.
With Shels winning earlier, the Midlanders knew a win would not be enough to wrap up the title tonight.
But they fell behind to an Aine O'Gorman goal on 14 minutes. However, Brenda Tabe drew Athlone level just after half-time.
Just six minutes later though, Rovers retook the lead through Scarlett Heron.
Athlone rallied and a brace from Madison Gibson had them 3-2 up and on course to re-establish their five-point lead at the top of the table.
But Joy Ralph's 82 minute equaliser for the visiting Hoops mean Athlone hold a three-point advantage over Shelbourne with two games remaining.
Shelbourne will face Peamount (H) and Shamrock Rovers (A) next, while Athlone's remaining fixtures are Bohemians (H) and Wexford (A).
Elsewhere on Saturday, Aoibheann Clancy bagged a brace in Wexford's 4-1 win on the road against Bohemians, with Kylie Murphy and Ciara Rossiter also scoring for the visitors.
Keelin Dodd's first-half penalty proved decisive as DLR Waves edged out Cork City 1-0 at Turner's Cross, while a Sligo Rovers outfit without a league win to their name all season managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Peamount after Muireann Devaney cancelled out Ellen Dolan's opener.
Galway United: Jessica Berlin; Therese Kinnevey (Aoibheann Costello, 66’), Jamie Erickson, Eve Dossen, Lucy Jayne Grant (Abbie Callanan, 84’); Emily Kavanaugh (Aislinn Meaney, 56’), Kate Thompson, Isabella Beletic, Jenna Slattery; Julie-Anne Russell, Emma Doherty (Rola Olusola, 56’)
Subs not used: Abbiegayle Ronayne, Lynsey Mckey, Roisin Jacob, Mary Tyrrell, Emma Duffy
Shelbourne FC: Amanda McQuillan, Jess Gargan, Pearl Slattery, Keeva Keenan; Christie Gray (Megan Smyth-Lynch, 77’), Alex Kavanagh (Hannah Healy, 82’), Maggie Pierce, Leah Doyle; Noelle Murray (Rachel Graham, 68’), Roma McLaughlin, Kate Mooney (Rebecca Devereux, 77’)
Subs not used: C Magee, Nia Hannon, Jemma Quinn, Mia Dodd, Katie McCarn
Referee: Ryan Maher
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