Ruairí Keating’s second bite of the cherry left a sour taste for Dundalk whose improved performance ended in a third straight defeat in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division at Richmond Park on Friday night.

Dundalk had started much better than in their previous two losses and they were unlucky to fall behind to the only goal of the game on the half-hour mark.

Chris Forrester’s hit-and-hope was latched onto by Brandon Kavanagh who teed up Keating, the Saints striker firing under Ross Munro from close range after the Scot had stopped the first attempt.

Munro kept his side within one with a smart save from Kian Leavy early in the second half, and, later, there was a disallowed goal for St Pat’s following a foul by Forrester on the young ‘keeper.

In front of a crowd of 4,513, Dundalk tried desperately to find a reply. Jamie Gullan had an opening only for a timely Luke Turner tackle to deny him and sub Sam Durrant struck wide late on, as the Louth men left the capital empty-handed.

Zak Bradshaw of Dundalk in action against Kian Leavy of St Patrick’s Athletic during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

For the game against his former team, Stephen O’Donnell rung the changes with five fresh faces in the lineup after Monday’s drubbing by Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park.

Munro’s second-half performance against The Bit O’Red earned him a first league start for the club alongside Ciaran McGuckin, while Louie Annesley, Hayden Muller and Gullan were all recalled. Club captain John Mountney’s name was a welcome sight among the substitutes.

Dundalk started on the front-foot and a well-worked move in the third minute, involving Robbie Benson and Scott High, ended with McGuckin firing a low strike that ‘keeper Danny Rogers gathered at the second time of asking.

After that bright beginning from the away side, St Pat’s enjoyed some possession and, at times, threatened a Dundalk defence which looked a lot steadier than four nights earlier.

On the 20-minute mark, Dundalk were on the attack again. McGuckin showed determination to win the ball deep in Saints territory and he pulled it back for Gullan whose strike was blocked behind by Joe Redmond.

Ruairí Keating of St Patrick’s Athletic shoots to score his side’s first goal, past Dundalk goalkeeper Ross Munro during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

St Pat’s, though, took the lead on the half-hour. Forrester’s punt over the top caught the Dundalk backline out and Kavanagh flicked a pass into the path of Keating whose initial strike was stopped by Munro, but the home No7 followed up to slot in the rebound.

Three minutes before the break, the busy High charged down Rogers and his endeavour almost paid off, the Saints stopper relieved to make a clearance having been put under pressure close to his line. Dundalk fed off that encouragement and finished the half well.

On 53 minutes, St Pat’s almost added a second. Keating headed the ball down to Leavy who drove away from Zak Bradshaw and, from outside the box, unleashed a shot that brought a fine save out of Munro who pushed the ball away from danger.

Soon after, Daryl Horgan turned sharply on the left wing and delivered a cross for Benson, but he could only head off target, as Dundalk searched for a response.

That was one of Horgan’s last involvements as O’Donnell made a double change on the hour, with Bradshaw also replaced. Durrant and Koen Oostenbrink, the latter making his league debut after a hamstring injury, entered.

Jamie Gullan of Dundalk in action against Jamie Lennon of St Patrick’s Athletic during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

On 65 minutes, Kavanagh’s teasing left-footed free-kick was met by Forrester, but the midfielder could not get enough power on his header as Dundalk eventually cleared. Seconds later, following another set-piece, the hosts had the ball in the net, but Forrester had fouled Munro.

Ryan O’Kane then came on in place of McGuckin. On 78 minutes, Dundalk had an opening when Benson set up Gullan but his shot from just inside the box was blocked down by Turner. High then sent a strike just wide.

With six minutes remaining, Dundalk threw on Robbie Mahon and Cami Elliott in their last throw of the dice. And in the 89th minute, Durrant nearly produced a moment of magic but, after neat footwork, his curling effort went narrowly past the top corner, on a frustrating night.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Danny Rogers, Kieran Freeman, Joe Redmond, Luke Turner, Anto Breslin, Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester, Brandon Kavanagh (Jake Mulraney 69), Kian Leavy (Alex Nolan 87), Jason McClelland (Mason Melia 69), Ruairí Keating (Cian Kavanagh 87). Subs not used: Marcelo Pitaluga (GK), Arran Pettifer, Aaron Bolger, Alfie Taylor, Conor Keeley.

DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley (Cami Elliott 84), Hayden Muller, Scott High, Zak Bradshaw (Koen Oostenbrink 61), Robbie Benson, Ciaran McGuckin (Ryan O’Kane 70), Daryl Horgan (Sam Durrant 61), Jamie Gullan (Robbie Mahon 84). Subs not used: Seán Molloy (GK), Zak Johnson, Paul Doyle, John Mountney.

REFEREE: Ray Matthews.