eircom league: Shelbourne 3 Drogheda Utd 3

Jason Byrne last gasp scorer for Shels

Shelbourne got off to a great start when they were given a 3^rd minute lead by Wes Hoolahan who curled home a superb 25-yard shot, but their lead only lasted five minutes when Damien Lynch crossed from the right for Jermaine Sandvliet to head home the equaliser for Drogheda.

Shelbourne went back in front again when Stuart Byrne beat Dan Connor with a shot from the edge of the area but once again Shels’ let their lead slip by conceding an equaliser in the 29th minute when Keith Fahey drilled home a shot after a cross from the left by Sandvliet.

In the 88^th minute Declan O’Brien scored a controversial third for Drogheda. The assistant referee Ciaran Delaney initially had his flag up for offside and then lowered it which led to protests from Shelbourne and manager Pat Fenlon getting sent off.

However, deep into injury time Jason Byrne rescued a point for Shelbourne when he slammed home a free kick.

Shelbourne now remain 14 points behind Cork with 14 games remaining and for them to stand any hope of regaining their title they will have to get a result from next week’s meeting between the pair at Turner’s Cross.

Shelbourne: Delaney; Fleming, Harris, Hawkins, Crawley; Baker (Ryan 84), S Byrne, Hoolahan (Moore 72), Ndo; J Byrne, Crowe (O’Neill 79).

Drogheda United: Connor; Lynch, Malcolm Gray, Webb; Fahey, Bradley (Ristella 85), Bernard, Sandvliet; Leech (Rooney 72), O’Brien (Sullivan 90).