TONY COUSINS continued his remarkable goalscoring run to score twice in the last five minutes - the equaliser came deep into injury time - to rescue Shamrock Rovers from a defeat they deserved at Tolka Park last night.

Cousins, who had scored six goals in his previous three league games, threw Rovers a lifeline with his first in the 88th minute. Bray full back Maurice Farrell failed to clear a cross into the area by substitute Sean Kavanagh and Cousins pounced to drive a fierce shot past John Walsh from 15 yards.

Then, three minutes into injury time from a Marc Kenny corner Rovers were lucky to get, Cousins rose majestically to power home a superb header to scrap a point.

Bray dominated the first half and were good value for their interval lead. That was scored two minutes before the break by Glen Brien after a Kieran O'Brien free kick.

The game appeared to have slipped away from Rovers within two minutes of the restart when Bray scored again. Once more Rovers were found wanting defensively as Farrell's long throw was flicked on by Smith after Rovers full back John Swift failed to clear and Dom Tierney drilled the ball home from 12 yards.

DERRY CITY, the runaway leaders, continued their relentless quest for the National League title with a win over Dundalk at Oriel Park last night, and they are now eight points clear of nearest rivals Bohemians with eight games to go.

Dundalk fought a brave rearguard action but eventually bowed to the inevitable when James Keddy scored for the visitors with 15 minutes to go.

Derry set the pace right from the start but their finishing was sloppy and several chances were squandered. Tom Mohan had the miss of the match after only four minutes when he shot wide from about five yards. Keddy brought a great save from the Dundalk goalkeeper Les Fridge minutes earlier.