Ryan Graydon scored a stoppage time winner to lift Derry City back up to second place in the Premier Division table as Shelbourne’s dogged defence just couldn’t hold out at Tolka Park.
With goalkeeper Brendan Clarke inspired and his rearguard holding solid, Damien Duff Dubliners looked like they would earn a battling point.
But with the watch into the 91st minute, Derry skipper Patrick McEleney threaded a ball through for the run of winger Graydon whose drive took a cruel deflection off Shelbourne captain Luke Byrne to finally beat the wrong-footed Clarke.
In a game that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, Derry might have been ahead after just 15 seconds.
Getting the ball immediately into the Shels box from the kick off, Brandon Kavanagh laid it off for McEleney who curled his shot wide.
The ball was in the Shelbourne net on 10 minutes but Joe Thomson’s effort was flagged offside.
Shelbourne played their way into the game and finished the first half the stronger.
JJ Lunney worked Brian Maher with a drilled shot before a dreadful challenge on the Red midfielder by Derry midfielder Sadou Diallo should have received more than just a yellow card.
Derry striker James Akintude wasted a gilt-edged chance three minutes after the break when shooting straight at Clarke.
And while Shelbourne regained some initiative with Gavin Molloy and Jack Moylan having efforts on goal, Michael Duffy’s introduction gave Derry impetus as they soon forced two terrific saves from Clarke.
First the Shelbourne keeper tipped over a speculative shot from McEleney before saving bravely at the feet of Akintunde.
And Clarke was there again to save the blushes of Gavin Molloy on 75 minutes.
A loose pass sent Graydon galloping through on goal to be stopped by a combination of Clarke and Byrne before his luck held for the winner at the death.
Shelbourne striker Sean Boyd was shown a red card after the final whistle.
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