Wexford Youths 1-2 Dundalk
Dundalk denied Wexford Youths their first ever Premier Division point as Ciaran Kilduff grabbed a later winner at Ferrycarrig Park as the league champions maintained their flawless start to the campaign.
Substitute Kilduff availed of a goalkeeping error to snatch the late winner, who were good value for David McMillan’s first-half lead, before struggling to impose their game on Youths in the second period.
And Shane Keegan’s newly promoted side grew in confidence to deservedly level in the 81st minute when Dundalk failed to deal with Paul Murphy’s corner on the left and defender Stephen Last beat Gary Rogers with a firm header.
But a mistake by captain and keeper Graham Doyle three minutes later cost Youths their first Premier Division point.
Dane Massey’s cross from the left picked out substitute Kilduff whose header Doyle allowed to squirm under him and over the line to put the champions top of the table on goal difference.
With four changes in the side, it wasn’t long before Youths were on the back foot with Lee Grace having to clear after Patrick McEleney burst through from midfield to cross after eight minutes.
Ten minutes later McMillan, one of three changes in the champions’ line-up, might have done better than blast his shot into he side netting after out-muscling Last from Paddy Barrett’s ball over the top.
Youths survived again a minute after that when Daryl Horgan’s volley was deflected out for Dundalk’s third corner of the game.
Stephen Kenny's side maintained the pressure with Doyle again tested in the 25th minutes, palming a long-range free-kick from John Mountney around the post.
The 37-year-old keeper was again on hand to save after 31 minutes, getting one hand to a stunning 30-yard drive from Horgan.
Youths relieved the pressure with their most incisive move of the half as Murphy set up strike partner Danny Furlong who curled a shot wide.
But the pressure told back at the other end after 34 minutes when Dundalk deservedly took the lead.
Mountney was the instigator on the right, his deep cross finding McMillan at the back post for the striker to score his first goal of the season with a downward header.
Youths had more about them on the resumption with Furlong heading over the top from Danny Ledwith’s free kick, eight minutes in.
Dundalk then escaped when defender Brian Gartland and keeper Gary Rogers got in each other’s way in trying to deal with a Murphy free-kick which flew out for a corner.
Wexford's late equaliser gave the home side hope going into the final stages, before Kilduff ensured the points were going back to Dundalk.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Aidan Friel, Stephen Last, Lee Grace, Ryan Delaney (Craig McCabe 76); Eric Molloy, Craig Wall, Danny Ledwith, Andy Mulligan;(Jonny Bonner 63) Danny Furlong, Paul Murphy.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Paddy Barrett, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Ronan Finn; John Mountney, Patrick McEleney (Robbie Benson 79), Daryl Horgan; David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 75).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
