Shelbourne 1 Shamrock Rovers 1
Shamrock Rovers’ lead at the summit remains at four points after a Gavin Molloy goal deep into stoppage-time ensured Shelbourne claimed a share of the spoils at the end of a tense Dublin derby.
Following relentless attacking pressure inside the Shels half, Rovers eventually opened the scoring on 21 minutes when Estonian international Markus Poom turned home a Dylan Watts cross from the right wing.
Six players – plus Hoops manager Stephen Bradley – were subsequently yellow carded in what proved to be a feisty opening period, but with Shels having a couple of penalty claims turned down, the visitors held on to their 1-0 lead at the break.
Recalled to the Rovers starting line-up for this game, Rory Gaffney forced a low save out of opposing netminder Conor Kearns shortly after the resumption. Shane Farrell dragged a shot wide at the far end just past the hour mark as Shels struggled to match their undoubted industry with a clinical attacking edge.
That was until Molloy rose highest to head home a Harry Wood corner with 94 minutes on the clock and consequently earn Damien Duff’s hosts a 13th draw in this season’s top flight.
SHELBOURNE: Kearns; JR Wilson (T Wilson, 46 mins), Barrett, Molloy, Griffin; Lunney (Arubi, 83 mins), Coyle; Caffrey (Moylan, 46 mins), Wood, Jarvis; Farrell (Hakiki, 71 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Cleary, Lopes, Kavanagh; Finn (Nugent, 57 mins), O’Neill, Watts, Poom; Burke (Towell, 76 mins), Burt (Greene, 80 mins); Gaffney (Kenny, 76 mins).
Referee: D Dunne (Dublin).