Shamrock Rovers were denied what they claimed to be a goal at Oriel Park last night.

Derek Tracey's shot appeared to beat goalkeeper Steve Williams and head for the Dundalk net. Somehow, however, the ball ended up outside the goal and Rovers claimed there was a hole in the Dundalk net. Referee Damian Hancock, however, was adamant that the shot had gone wide.

Dundalk scored two minutes later, after David Crawley's corner was headed home by David Ward, but Mark Kenny grabbed Rovers an 81st-minute equaliser.

Dundalk: Williams, McNulty, Crawley, Doohan, Brady, Melvin, Doolin, Thew, Hoey, Withnell, Ward.

Shamrock Rovers: Forde, Britton, Dunne (Morrisroe 85), Brazil, Whelan, Colwell, Treacy, Cousins, Purdy, Sherlock, Woods (Kenny 70).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).