Killester United 1-2 Wexford Youths

First Division side Wexford Youths overcame junior side Killester United with a hard fought victory in their FAI Ford Cup third round replay at Haddon Park this evening.

Mick Wallace's side recorded their first ever FAI Ford Cup victory thanks to two first-half strikes from midfielders Conor Sinnott and Gavin Doyle.

The Youths had the better of the first half and Sinnott opened the scoring in the 20th minute after his powerful low drive from the edge of the area took a slight deflection, before hitting Matthew Bligh's far post and crossing the line.

Wexford doubled their advantage eight minutes later when Doyle went past Shane Dunne on the right wing before drifting into the area and slotting the ball past Bligh into the far corner of the Killester net.

Killester's Kenny Curley fired a snap shot wide two minutes before the in interval, but Wexford were well in control and went in at half time in a commanding position.

The weather may have deteriorated at the start of the second half but the home side started brightly and had the League of Ireland side under the cosh for the remainder of the game.

Sean Treacy tested Wexford 'keeper Pa Doyle with a free-kick from the edge of the area in the 52nd minute and after continuing to dominate possession, the AUL side got their deserved goal when they were awarded a penalty with just under 20 minutes remaining, after Shane Dunne's cross was handled inside the area by Thomas Hawkins.

Davy Lacey stepped up and rifled the ball home to pull a goal back for the hosts and set up a dramatic finish to an entertaining Cup game.

Treacy's superb effort from 35 yards in the 76th minute was well saved by Doyle in the Wexford goal, with the Wexford goalkeeper called into action again from the resulting corner when he tipped Jason Marks chip over the bar.

Alan Connor headed Alan Murphy's in-swinging corner into the ground from six yards out in the 85th minute, and Wexford's Paul Rossiter cleared a Dave Lacey off the line a minute later, as Wexford were desperately holding onto their slim advantage.

Marty Kelly could have wrapped the game up for Wexford in the 87th minute, however, when he only had the advancing Matthew Bligh to beat in the Killester goal. However, his tame chip from just outside the box was straight at the home 'keeper.

Wexford's 18-year-old 'keeper Pa Doyle was the hero for the Youths. He pulled off a superb point-black save with a minute left on the clock to deny substitute Jason Marks from close range and referee Neil Doyle blew the final whistle moments later to ensure that Wexford hung on for a head-earned victory and progress to the last 16 of the FAI Ford Cup for the first time in their short history.

Killester United: Bligh, Dunne, D Murphy, Carrick (Kane, 70 mins), S Murphy, Connor, A Murphy, Curley (Marks, 65), Lacey, Corbally (Ryan, 75), Treacy.

Wexford Youths: P Doyle, Rossiter, Hawkins, Russell, Wadding, Malone, G Doyle, Kelly, Murphy (Furlong, 60 mins), Sinnott, O'Connor.

Referee: Neil Doyle.