St Patrick's Athletic (2) - Shamrock Rovers (2)

St Patrick's Athletic 2 - Shamrock Rovers 2

Title hopefuls St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers were forced to share the spoils in a helter-skelter Dublin Derby which finished 2-2 at a soaked Richmond Park.

Irish teen sensation Mason Melia had given his side the lead before Jack Byrne hit back in a frenetic first half and with just three minutes remaining Lee Grace rose highest to head home, before Joe Redmond forced an injury time equaliser.

And it was the hosts, unbeaten since the narrow loss in Tallaght over a month ago, started at a rip-roaring pace forcing a couple of early corners as the boisterous crowd roared on, but eventually came to nothing.

After the initial wave of pressure the visitors began to get a footing on the soaked surface. Man of the match from Monday's win, Jack Byrne, got the Saints defence turned with a couple of probing balls in behind.

Danny Grant, whose stunning solo goal proved the difference in the reverse fixture, went closest to breaking the deadlock showing quick feet to cut inside from the right, unleashed a left-footed strike that flew narrowly past the far post.

In the ascendancy now, the visitors spurned a couple of further chances in quick succession; Dylan Watts really should have done better from inside the area, having been teed up by Rory Gaffney but failed to hit the target and moments later Graham Burke went on tremendous run into the area, showing great strength to hold off Jamie Lennon but saw his low strike sharply saved by Joseph Anang to keep it level.

Just after the half hour it was the hosts' turn to go close as the momentum took a huge turn. Chris Forrester's low cross was cleared to the feet of Jason McClelland whose goalbound effort was bravely blocked behind.

From the resulting corner, the ball eventually bounced up to Tottenham Hotspur-bound Melia, who spun and volleyed through the legs of Ed McGinty.

The Hoops wasted no time hitting back and five minutes later levelled following a lightning-quick counter. Rory Gaffney burst from midfield at the heart of the Saints defence before playing Burke through on goal. Anang again brilliantly saved from Burke's sweeping point blank strike.

But unfortunately for the Ghanaian, he palmed the ball straight to Byrne who, like Melia, contorted his body brilliantly to volley home first time.

The relentless pace showed no signs of slowing in a feisty second half, as the hosts looked much better, but despite their dominance the Saints failed to really threaten McGinty with goalmouth action at both ends at a premium.

That was until three minutes to go when Byrne showed his quality yet again picking out Grace who made no mistake powering home to score what looked like the winner.

Redmond had other ideas, however, and the skipper levelled brilliantly, getting on the end of Jake Muraney's inswinger to rescue a point for his side at the death.

© rte.ie

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St Patrick's Athletic 2 - Shamrock Rovers 2

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