Shelbourne put themselves in the driving seat for the return leg at Tolka Park next week with the prize for the winners a second-round tie with Portuguese side Boavista.

With three changes from the team that surrendered the lead three times against Drogheda last Friday, Shelbourne started well against the Maltese side, a yellow card for winger Ollie Cahill inside the opening minutes an indication of their focus. Stuart Byrne then had their first effort on goal, shooting over the top on four minutes. Byrne gave Shelbourne the lead two minutes later when heading home Cahill's cross.

Hibernians, with four internationals in their side, equalised within a minute as David Crawley failed to cut out a cross from the left and Ndubisi Chukunyere finished from six yards out. Steve Williams then thwarted Chukunyere on 22 minutes with a great save with his feet after the Nigerian had done well to turn Kevin Doherty.

However, it was a foul on Chukunyere on the edge of the Shelbourne area that brought Hibernians the lead on 37 minutes. Adrian Ciantar's free-kick was tipped onto a post by Williams who was then helpless to prevent Adrian Pulis following up to force the rebound into the net.

But a fine goal on 67 minutes earned Shelbourne a deserved draw. Cahill used his pace to counter-attack down the left to set up Trevor Molloy whose cross midfielder Jim Gannon dived to head into the net.

HIBERNIANS: Muscat; Nilsevic, Vella, Pulis; Cassar (Zahra 75), Pullicino, Mbong, Ciantar, Baldachino (M. Mifsud 79); A. Mifsud, Chukunyere.

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Doherty (Prenderville 62), McCarthy, Crawley; R. Baker, S. Byrne, Gannon, Cahill; Molloy, Roberts.

Referee: E. Blareau (Belgium).

Sunday's refixed Premier Division match between Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne has been switched for a second time at the request of Shelbourne. The game will now go ahead at the Carlisle Grounds on bank holiday Monday, August 5th, with a 3.15 p.m. kick-off.

Hibernians ... 2

Shelbourne ... 2