Shamrock Rovers moved back into second place as they took advantage of their rivals’ slips with a 3-0 victory away to Finn Harps.
St Patrick’s Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Drogheda United while Sligo Rovers fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Shelboure in the Showgrounds.
Derry City’s last-gasp win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park saw them extend their lead at the top, while UCD were soundly beaten by Dundalk at Oriel Park.
Rovers ran out the wrong side of a surprise 2-1 scoreline when they last visited Finn Park, on their way to a second successive title, late last year.
They made short work of the Ballybofey side on Friday night, however, as Andy Lyons scored in either half before Graham Burke polished it off with a late penalty.
Lyons had put the Hoops in front in first-half injury as headed home his first goal in a Rovers shirt from Jack Byrne’s corner.
The wing-back made it two with a solo run eleven minutes from time before Burke sealed it from the spot, shooting past midfielder Bastien Héry after Harps keeper Mark McGinley had been sent off for a foul on Rory Gaffney.
Saints remain third after they battled back to take a share of the spoils at Richmond Park as Tim Clancy met his former club Drogheda for the first time.
Dayle Rooney had given the visitors a half-time lead but another stunning strike from Darragh Burns earned the Athletic a point.
Shelbourne were unlikely victors in Sligo as they bounced back from a 3-0 defeat at home to Finn Parks by knocking Sligo off second spot.
Dan Carr’s first-half penalty got Damien Duff’s side motoring and the Reds held on as they sealed a first win in five.
Bohs were left crestfallen at the final whistle as James Akintunde nodded home deep in injury time to complete a turnaround for league leaders Derry.
Liam Burt had fired Bohs in front as he finished off a fine first-half passing move, but Ronan Boyce levelled after the break before Akintunde struck at the death.
And UCD continue to search for their first win of the season as they fell to 2-0 defeat at Dundalk thanks to goals in either half from Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban.
