Kildare County threw away two points at Station Road tonight as their failure to kill off a poor Monaghan United side cost them dear when Robbie Farrell scored from the penalty spot with seven minutes left to give the visitors a 1-1 draw that they never deserved.
The home side started the brighter and they deservedly took the lead after 14 minutes.
Paul Donnelly's corner was only cleared as far as Gary Walsh on
the edge of the box.
He took his time and picked out Philly Gorman in space inside the Monaghan area and he superbly slotted the ball past Darren McQuaid for his second goal of the season.
On a horrific night for football, Kildare knocked the ball around with confidence with Gary Walsh and Padraig Amond in particular showing well.
McQuaid had to be alert to cut out Walsh's 16th minute cross with Gorman lurking but at the other end Austin O'Neill saved well with his feet to deny Robbie Farrell.
Kildare continued to be the better side into the second half and they almost doubled their advantage after 53 minutes when Sean L'Estrange's superbly struck 30-yard volley came back off the crossbar. Amond headed the rebound into the net but he was ruled offside.
Amond then went close himself a minute later but his curling effort went just wide of the post.
After conceding a late goal to Shelbourne last week, Kildare should have been aware of the possible danger from the visitors. However, they were caught with a sucker punch with seven minutes left.
A poorly taken Kildare corner was quickly cleared down the field where L'Estrange's hesitation let Brian Gannon nip in.
He sprinted towards goal but was tripped in the area by O'Neill.
Farrell sent O'Neill the wrong way with the kick to level matters
and leave Kildare to think of what might have been.
Teams - Kildare County: O'Neill; L'Estrange, McDermott, P Byrne, Stapleton; Donnelly (P Rigney 77), McCrossan, A Byrne, Walsh; Gorman (Barrett 63), Amond.
Monaghan Utd: McQuaid; Whelan, Friel, Mooney, Kerr; Heffernan (Toal 90), McDonald, D'Arcy, Williamson (Finnegan h/t); Farrell, Gannon.
