ST PATRICK'S came from two goals down early in the second half to snatch a well deserved point at Oriel Park last night. Indeed, the visitors could well have won the game in the end, but even though the referee allowed four minutes of extra time, a shaky Dundalk defence held out.

Ray Campbell gave Dundalk the lead on 16 minutes when he hit a cracking shot from 15 yards after Brian Byrne had crossed into the box. Dundalk looked to have won the game when Byrne scored again in the 51st minute, after latching on to a pass from Campbell.

St Patrick's introduced Jason Byrne and Paul McGee at halftime and it was Byrne who made all the difference in their attack.

Dundalk's Joe Hanrahan had to go off injured in the 67th minute and St Patrick's pulled one back three minutes later when Jason Byrne headed home at the far post following an Eddie Gormley free kick from the right.

Gormley hit another great free Just over the Dundalk bar shortly afterwards but the Dundalk defence gave way again in the 85th minute when Johnny Glynn headed in at the far post, after Martin Reilly had flicked on a Paul Campbell cross.