Shelbourne 1 Waterford United 1
Shelbourne failed to take three points but maintained their stranglehold on the eircom League Premier Division after playing out a draw with Waterford United tonight.
Pat Fenlon's side had to come from behind against an enterprising Blues outfit but after dominating the second-half will have been disappointed not to register a win. Nevertheless, Shelbourne held onto their five point lead while United leapfrog St Patrick's Athletic into second spot.
Jimmy McGeough's top-flight newcomers, who have improved considerably since their opening day defeat at the hands of Shels, were by no means overawed at Tolka Park and took the game to the table-toppers in the first half.
Having taken the lead as early as the fifth minute through Gary O'Neill, the visitors continued to press forward, consistently proving the more dangerous side in the opening 45 minutes.
In was a different story after the break, however, as Pat Fenlon's side, in the absence of top-scorer Jason Byrne after his red-card last Friday night, set about restoring parity. And it was Byrne's replacement up front, Ger McCarthy, who provided the breakthrough just three minutes into the second period after some fine individual work.
That was the catalyst for a period of sustained Shelbourne pressure but despite their territorial advantage, Shelbourne were unable to fashion enough clear-cut chances to find breach Waterford's resistance.