Stephanie Roche’s second half strike has opened the title race in the Women’s National League, with just weeks left, as Peamount secured a vital three points in Tolka Park this evening.

Finally they will say Peamount got the better of Shelbourne this year, having had defeats in their recent ties, this win was much needed for them to get a boost, also it moves them up to third in the standings.

Wexford now lead by a point over Shelbourne, with Peamount in third and Athlone in fourth level on points, but goal difference just not in their favour.

The visitors certainly started the brighter start early on, Erin McLaughlin with a chance inside four minutes that went wide, Amanda Budden had to save with her feet to deny Sadhbh Doyle, while Roche had a header go just over.

Shels began to settle and started to take the intensity out of the tie that we had seen early, chances few and far between as both cancelled the other out, Pearl Slattery came close as her header crashed off the crossbar with 26 minutes played.

Pea’s certainly had chances in the opening half that should have conjured up a goal, Roche came close, an effort was cleared off the line and Aine O’Gorman has an effort that was just deflected wide, the Greenogue outfit marginally at top at the end of a scoreless first half.

The second half was much more open as both teams were looking for three points, Reid Burke had her palms stung from a cross as the hosts looked to change the momentum of the tie.

Reid Burke had to be alert to make a stunning save to deny Jess Stapleton, her effort from outside the area was on target, but the Pea’s keeper pulled off the acrobatics to keep the tie scoreless.

Roche had another great chance minutes after a free kick delivery could have caused trouble in the area, they broke clear and Roche’s effort had a deflection to take the sting out of the shot for Budden to save.

O’Gorman was the next to have a chance at goal, Roche inadvertently however got in the way of her goal bound effort, it looked a real chane buty one Budden may have been equal too as it was straight at the Shels net minder.

All the pressure finally paid off for the visitors as Roche finished well from a Doyle cross to give them a deserved lead after 77 minutes, her touch may have been slightly heavy but her attacking instinct paid off to finish.

Chances came late on but Peamount did enough to hold on, the next few weeks will be entertaining, the league’s top two sides meeting on the final day could be a high dramatic conclusion to the season.