Liam Burns headed a late equaliser for Dundalk as they came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division this evening.
The result dealt a massive blow to Rovers' title chances as they are now seven points behind leaders Bohemians at the top of the Premier Division.
Stephen Rice had put Rovers ahead midway through the first half from eight yards and Gary Twigg doubled the lead with a chip from 25 yards before half-time.
Dundalk came out fighting after the break and Alex Williams' volley got them back in contention on 67 minutes.
As Rovers sat back on their lead, Burns popped up at the death to nod in Paul McAreavey's cross for a deserved point.
Both sides made four changes to their staring line-ups, with Dundalk forced into the late replacement of Michael Collins, as he pulled after the teams were named.
The inclusion of Alan Mannus in the Rovers goal ahead of fans' favourite Barry Murphy may have surprised and disappointed some Hoops fans.
However, the former Linfield man showed his quality when he denied Alex Williams an opening goal after Darragh Maguire had misjudged a Michael McGowan pass.
Mannus' former team-mate at Windsor Park, Paul McAreavey, was also impressing with some good play in the centre of Dundalk's midfield.
Dundalk were made to pay for Williams' missed chance when Rice put Rovers ahead after 24 minutes following an error by Kevin McKinley.
The left-back tried to cut out a loose pass from Dessie Baker, however his intervention diverted the ball to Rice and he tapped home from eight yards.
Twigg and Baker have formed a potent partnership for the Hoops this season and they combined again in the 31st minute to double the lead. Baker's through ball set Twigg away and he calmly chipped the onrushing Bennion from 25 yards.
Dundalk almost pulled one back before the break, but Mannus showed again why he has represented his country at senior level when turned away a swerving daisycutter from Darran Mansaram.
Through a combination of their desire to get back into the game and Rovers' own negativity, Dundalk had the upper hand in the second half.
Williams earned Dundalk a lifeline when he volleyed in the impressive Michael McGowan's cross at the back post on 67 minutes.
The visitors pressed hard for a deserved equaliser, and with Rovers looking unusually shaky at the back, Craig Sives almost put McKinley's low cross into his own net.
Dundalk dominated possession and got their reward with three minutes left on the clock.
Rovers failed to clear and Burns bravely headed in at the front post to spark wild celebrations among the away contingent, not least manager Sean Connor who danced his way up the touchline in Mourinho-esque style.
Shamrock Rovers: 23 Mannus; 19 Sullivan, 4 Maguire, 6 Sives, 14 Cahill; 13 Kavanagh (22 Purcell '54), 10 Bradley (15 Chisholm '70), 8 Rice, 11 O'Connor; 9 Twigg, 18 Baker (21 Cowan '86).
Subs: 1 Murphy, 5 Price.
Booked: Rice,
Dundalk: 1 Bennion; 2 Kelly, 5 Burns, 15 Coburn, 3 McKinley, 7 Mulvenna (12 McGinlay '60), 6 Heary, 14 McAreavey, 11 McGowan; 9 Mansaram, 10 Williams.
Subs: 4 Collins, 17 Griffin, 18 Duffy, 21 Greene.
Booked: Heary, McAreavey, Mulvenna,
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Shamrock Rovers 2-2 Dundalk
