Cork City were twice forced to come from behind to eventually claim a point at Century Homes Park yesterday.

The first goal came after 90 seconds when Monaghan midfielder Paul Shiels sent Eddie Mieir away on the right and he beat Michael Devine with a shot that went in off a post. Cork equalised on 22 minutes when Noel Hartigan headed in Ollie Cahill's long ball to the far post.

In the 42nd minute Jonathan King found Darren McKenna close to the end line on the left and though challenged by two defenders he managed to hook the ball over Devine into the far corner to give the side an interval lead.

Cork levelled matters in the 51st minute when a corner pushed out by keeper Gareth Downey was quickly returned to the crowded goalmouth and hammered into the roof of the net by left back Stephen Napier.

MONAGHAN UTD: Downey; McCarville, McDonnell, Brunton, Place, Murphy, Mieir, Shiels, King, McKenna, O'Callaghan. Sub: Lundy for King (78 mins).

CORK CITY: Devine; Carey, Napier, O'Rourke, Coughlan, Buckley, Cahill, Bennett, CP O'Brien, Hartigan, O'Grady. Subs: Morley for Buckley (half-time) , Mulligan for O'Brien (72 mins).

Referee: J Breen (Dublin).