Full-time in Tallaght. Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Dundalk.

Five minutes of added-time to be played in Tallaght.

Attendance in Tallaght recorder at 6,021.

A jinxing run from Durrant sees the winger cut inside and force Mannus into a save.

Muller and Malley are replaced by Elliot and McCourt. Gaffney draws a good save from Shepperd outside of the box.

Dylan Watts goes off for Richie Towell, while Johannes Yil-Kokko is subbed for Samuel Durrant.

Stephen Bradley replaces Ronan Finn and Graham Burke with Trevor Clarke and Johnny Kenny.

A double-header substitution for Dundalk. Patrick Hoban and Alfie Lewis replace Martin and Sloggett.

Goal! Rovers finally break the deadlock! Dylan Watts swings a corner into the box and finds the head of Pico Lopes, who rises far above the Dundalk headers to power his side into the lead!

Sean Kavanagh booked for a late tackle.

Goal disallowed for Rovers! Rory Gaffney finishes off a Burt cross at point-blank range, his celebrations cut short as the fourth official raises his flag immediatley.

Liam Burt foes close down the other end-firing a shot just inches from goal.

Martin fires a low-driven shot from outside of the box, Mannus getting down well to save the effort.

Action gets back underway in Tallaght!

Half-time in Tallaght. Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Dundalk.

Daniel Kelly receives the first booking of the match.

Rovers are beginning to fall under some serious pressure from Dundalk! The hosts again are left exposed on the break, Davies' shot deflecting off the leg of Grace, the ball then finding Martin who heads on to the post!

A swift Dundalk break sees Martin flash a shot over the bar from twelve yards out.

A huge block from Lee Grace to deny Daniel Kelly six yards out! Some haphazard defending from the Hoops sees the ball falls to Kelly on the right-side of the box, Kelly powering his shot to the bottom-left, Grace lunging in just at the right time to send the ball out for a corner.

It's a good chance for Dundalk-Archie Davis lofts an expertly placed cross into the Rovers box and finds the diving head of John Martin. Martin's header is well placed and draws a diving save from Alan Mannus to paw away from the bottom corner.

Burke's presented with the all on the edge of the box but his effort his wayward and always curling away from goal. Dundalk goal-kick.

It's been a bright start for the hosts-no major chances as of yet, but showing real signs of quality with some nice passing moves and succinct movement.

Rory Gaffney breaks down the right and opts for a shot on the half-volley from a tight angle. Shepperd saves-but is unconvincing as he spills the ball and is forced to lunge at Gaffney's feet before he can strike again.

Graham Burke goes for a shot from 30 yards but is unable to get the desired power or accuracy as the ball rolls wide and re-starts with a Nathan Shepperd goal-kick.

And we're off! The hosts get action underway in Tallaght!

Lee Grace comes back into the starting XI for Rovers while Trevor Clarke makes his return to fitness on the bench. Hayden Muller starts for Dundalk after missing their cup clash against Bray Wanderers.

“You need a little bit of luck to win the league but to get to the very top you need to beat the teams above you. We’re looking to do that, starting with Rovers on Friday. We know what it takes to beat them. “It’s a mad league this season. I think everyone’s a bit disappointed with where they are because everyone has been inconsistent but it means it’s wide open going into the run-in which is great for everyone.”

Dundalk manager Stephen O'Donnell has been quick to play down expectations of a title bid from his side. "I’m not putting any ceiling on it for us but I also know that from where other clubs are at, they have a right to be up there pitching whereas I think we’re still very much sort of trying to punch above our weight, and a work in progress,” O’Donnell said speaking to club media.

Rovers enter the clash in dismal form, their draw against Shelbourne extending their record to just two wins in nine. Manager Stephen Bradley expressed his frustration about the performance whilst in conversation with club media: "We should win the game [against Shelbourne] quite comfortably, but we gave up a goal in the last minute, a free header from a corner which is very rare for us, but for large parts we were very good and deserved to win.”

Dundalk have gotten the better of Rovers on the last two occasions the sides have met, boasting a 2-0 league win and a 1-0 cup victory both at Oriel Park. The Lilywhites have struggled to get results at Tallaght Stadium as of recent, going four years without a win.

Evening all and welcome to tonight's match coverage of Shamrock Rovers vs Dundalk. It's shaping up to be a torrential night of football as the rain keeps pouring down here in Tallaght. Tonight's clash marks a potential six-pointer in the race for the league title, The Hoops leading the charge currently with an eight point cushion over fifth-placed Dundalk.