Monaghan United 2-2 Dundalk
Sunday, 28 September 2008 17:58A Dave Scully equaliser for Monaghan United in added on time brought this intense north-east derby clash with Dundalk to a fittingly dramatic conclusion - and delivered something of a setback to the Lilywhites' hopes of securing the lone First Division promotion place.
Dundalk's two-goal hero Robbie Farrell was red-carded in the final minute as the game took an ugly turn.
Farrell, just back from a long injury layoff, had settled the visitors'
nerves on this visit to their Kingspan Century Park 'bogey ground' with a well-taken 17th minute goal, finding the bottom corner after Danny Woods could only block away a shot from Dessie Baker.
The goal seemed the prelude to a convincing win for Dundalk, but they let the brisk attacking tempo they began to set abate as the half wore on.
Monaghan, after seeing Brian Gartland's close-range effort ruled out for a foul on Dundalk goalkeeper Chris Bennion, drew level on the stroke of half-time.
A clumsy foul on Stephen McCrosssan right on the edge of the penalty area afforded dead ball expert Sean Brennan the opportunity to stoke a free-kick into the top corner past a bemused Bennion.
Monaghan dominated an increasingly ragged Dundalk for most of the second half, but failed to carve out quality scoring chances.
Dundalk clung on, and, with three minutes remaining, snatched a late goal totally against the run of play.
United allowed Shane Grimes too much space down the left and then keeper Woods and his central defenders failed to deal with the full-back's low cross.
Farrell ghosted in at the back post to profit.
But things turned sour for Farrell when, as the game grew bad-tempered, he became caught up in a shoving match in the final minute and was sent off by referee Conor Fitzgerald.
But the worst was yet to come for Dundalk. With added time spinning out, their nervous defence was caught at sixes and sevens when United substitute Darragh Hanaphy crossed low for Scully to flick home the equaliser via a deflection.
Monaghan United: Woods; Gartland, Mooney, McMahon; Whelan, Tierney, McCrossan (Haran 89), O'Connor (Hanaphy 80), Clancy; Scully, Brennan.
Dundalk: Bennion; Marney, Kelly, Whelehan, Grimes; Duffy (P Crowley 77), Shiels, Cassidy, O'Connor (Doyle, 64); Farrell, Baker (Mulvenna 71).
Referee: C Fitzgerald (Meath)
