A 70th-minute strike from the returning Liam Burns handed Ian Foster his first goal and win as Dundalk manager, as the Lilywhites defeated Shelbourne 1-0 at Oriel Park on Tuesday evening. Burns put pen to paper just over an hour before kick-off, and he marked his signing in the perfect way as, after entering at half-time, he netted a wonderful goal late on to give the border club another boost on a day full of positives.

Early scare
Dundalk started with much the same team that lined out for the scoreless friendly at home to Athlone Town on Sunday, with Matt Gregg replacing Peter Cherrie in goals and David McGowan replacing Neale Fenn in attack. The hosts had a scare after less than two minutes when after an initial clearance from Gregg the ball fell to former Sporting Fingal defender Gareth Whelan whose shot from the edge of the box was well blocked by Wayne Hatswell.

Malsom chance
Sam Malsom, who impressed against Athlone, was again lively (with fancy aluminous green boots also on show) and he went within inches of giving Dundalk the lead on seven minutes. A superb pass from ‘Man of the Match’ Alan Cawley down the left-wing set Malsom free and he beat the outrushing Dean Delaney to the ball, only to see his effort from 25-yards flash past the far post. Shels had their chances too and former Dundalk players Colly O’Brien and David Cassidy both had efforts off-target as the game failed to create any real spark in front of goal at either end.

Fenn denied
Five minutes before the break, Andy Haran had a chance for the visitors but his shot was well held by Gregg, before a handball by Garry Breen on the edge of the box gave Shels a great shooting opportunity. However, Cassidy’s curling shot went narrowly over the bar. Dermot Keely’s side also had a couple of efforts on goal after the break but there was little to trouble Cherrie, who entered in place of Gregg at the break. Dundalk then thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the half. Ross Gaynor, another half-time substitute, produced a superb delivery which was cleared only as far as David McGowan whose half-shot was poked home by Neale Fenn. However, the ex-Bohemians striker was adjudged to be offside.

Burns blast
Dundalk continued to probe for the lead goal and, after Cawley’s curling 25-yard free-kick went off-target, the home side eventually broke the deadlock on 70 minutes. A Gaynor set-piece was cleared only as far as Jack MacLeod who fed Burns on the edge of the area, and the 31-year-old defender took a touch before blasting an unstoppable shot to the top of the net past a helpless Steve Williams. From thereon, Dundalk looked comfortable and they went in search of a second, although Shels, with a rake of substitutions, were more keen to get forward after the goal. With five minutes remaining, MacLeod forced Williams to push the ball behind with a rasping effort from the left-hand side of the box, but Burns’ strike was enough to see the Lilywhites earn their first win of 2010.

DUNDALK FC (4-4-2): Matt Gregg (Peter Cherrie HT); Michael Synnott (Shaun Kelly HT), Garry Breen, Wayne Hatswell (Simon Kelly HT), Jason Mok (Nathan Murphy 60); Stephen Maher (Ross Gaynor HT), Alan Cawley, Tom Miller, Jack MacLeod; Sam Malsom (Neale Fenn 60), David McGowan.
Goal: L Burns (70).

SHELBOURNE FC (4-4-2): Dean Delaney; Stephen Quigley, Gareth Whelan, Ian Ryan, Sean Byrne; Colly O’Brien, Paul Shiels, David Cassidy, Eric Foley; Dinny Corcoran, Andy Haran.
Substitutes: Steve Williams, David McGill, Robbie Clarke, Ray Scully, Philip Gorman, Jack Flynn, Kevin Doherty, Mick Clarke.

Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).