Byrne strikes save Shelbourne

Shelbourne - 2 St Patricks Athletic - 2 The latecomers to Tolka Park last night missed seeing why Shelbourne shouldn't have any problems scoring the goals they hope will land the Premier Division title.

Jason Byrne was brought to Tolka from Bray Wanderers during the closed season with the purpose of scoring goals, and last night with only 31 seconds down on the clock he scored a real gem to give Shelbourne the lead.

Running on to Kevin Doherty's hopeful ball forward, he conjured a classic finish, hooking his right footed shot over a stranded Chris Adamson.

However that brilliant start for Shelbourne was almost to count for nothing as the Reds then fell behind only for Byrne to come to their rescue 10 minutes from time.

It was two goals in the space of four minutes that turned the game in favour of St Patrick's.

They levelled matters just nine minutes into the second half when Tony Bird's shot was deflected off the unlucky Doherty past his 'keeper Steve Williams.

Then in the 58th minute Paul Osam rose high above the Shelbourne defence to head home Keith Fahy's corner and put the visitors ahead.

But you can't keep a good man down and Byrne was the saviour for Shelbourne after 80 minutes as he grabbed the equaliser volleying home Richie Baker's cross.

Twice in the first half Shelbourne thought they had extended their lead with Tony McCarthy inches wide with his effort on 35 mins, while in stoppage time Byrne linked well with Ollie Cahill but shot tamely at Adamson.

It all looked as if it had gone wrong for the home side when they found themselves trailing but in Byrne they had a man who could earn them something from the game and he duly delivered with that late equaliser.

SHELBOURNE: Williams, Heary, Crawley, Crawford, Doherty, Gannon, Cahill, Morgan, Byrne, Geoghegan, R Baker. Subs: T McCarthy for Gannon (29 mins); Hoolahan for Cahill (73 mins); G McCarthy for Geoghegan (89 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson, Prenderville, Donnelly, El Khebir, Maguire, Foley, Osam, Fahy, Bird, Livingstone, Jones. Subs: Harris for Livingstone (73 mins); Freeman for Jones (89 mins).

Referee: P McKeown (Dublin).