Finn Harps...0
St Pat's....1
Chris McNulty

THERE is little room for error at the foot of the League of Ireland Premier Division in the race for survival as just five points separate the bottom four teams.

Finn Harps entered the weekend's series of games seven points clear of the drop zone - but that margin is down to four points after Harps were beaten by St Pat's on Friday night and, crucially, Galway United, UCD and Cobh Ramblers all took maximum points from their fixtures.

Paul Hegarty insists that his side is still up for the battle as the season reaches its final handful of games. "Of course we are," was the adamant response from the Harps boss when the question was posed to him on Friday night.

"We never expected anything else to be perfectly honest. It's going to be a slog and it's whoever can keep their heads the best. If we can pick up our own points it'll not matter what the rest do."

Mark Quigley's 23rd goal of the season five minutes into the second-half was enough to give Johnny McDonnell's team a win that ensures that the title race is extended for another week at least. Quigley also had a penalty save by James Gallagher while Harps had a late penalty claim waved away when Conor Gethins appeared to have been fouled.

The hosts welcomed Jonathan Minnock back from suspension and he took the place of the injured Shaun Holmes at left-back. In a late blow to the home side's preparations, Stephen Parkhouse had to withdraw, with Conor Gethins elevated to the starting line up for the first time in a month.

The Lifford man saw a seventh minute shot trickle wide, before a powerful drive from Mark Quigley rebounded back off Declan Boyle at the other end.

Chris Breen had a couple of good chances for Harps as the home side started to press. The winger curled off target from 15 yards before forcing Barry Ryan into conceding a corner with a low drive on the half-hour mark.

But, on 50 minutesPats' moved into the driving seat. Fahey and Fitzpatrick combined to set up Quigley, who turned Declan Boyle before riffling home his 23rd goal of the season into the bottom corner of the net.

Just five minutes later, the Saints missed a glorious chance to double the lead when they were awarded a penalty following a foul by Minnock on Guy. However, Harps stopper James Gallagher was down well to keep out Quigley's effort.

Gallagher saved the day again for Harps 20 minutes from time when he brilliantly saved from Guy, who latched onto a pull-back from Quigley inside the area.

Harps were denied what looked a certain penalty when Gethins went down under the challenge of Damian Lynch, but referee Tom Connolly shook the head at the home side's claims.

Gethins shot into the arms of Ryan late on while sub Austin Friel drove wastefully wide when presented with a shooting chance on the edge of the box. Harps threw on Stuart Malcolm to add an aerial threat to their attack late on, but their efforts were in vain.

"I thought that we competed very well and for long parts of the game we were on top," said Hegarty.