Cork City captain Alan Bennett says Cork City are right where they want to be after moving a point closer to the SSE Airtricity title after a 1-1 draw with Dundalk at Turner’s Cross.
Robbie Benson’s 87th-minute equaliser silenced the home crowd as the Lilywhites spoiled City’s planned title coronation in front of almost 7,000 fans.
Brian Gartland’s first half own-goal looked set to be the only goal of the game, but the draw means City, 11 points clear of Stephen Kenny’s side, require two points from their four remaining games for a first title since 2005.
"We played some good football, we got caught at the end, but it doesn’t matter. We’re one step closer and that’s where we want to be," Bennett told RTÉ Sport.
"Dundalk are obviously champions, we’re trying to take that off them and they won’t give it up easily.
"We’ve been playing brilliant, we’ve had to re-jig out team. We’ve played some great stuff, but we probably haven’t got the rub of the green."
Having lost five of their last nine games in all competitions – four of the last six in the league – the Rebel Army were up against a side who had won their previous nine games in the league, FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup, and man-of-the-match Conor McCormack admits the aim was to finish the job off in front of their raucous support.
Man-of-the-match Conor McCormack admits to being disappointed not to have wrapped up the league title against Dundalk. pic.twitter.com/ZcBF85639W
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) September 25, 2017
"We went out to win the game to put it to bed. Over the past few weeks, we have been trying to get over the line but it has been very tough.
"We were unfortunate we fell a little bit short."
Manager John Caulfield lamented the "soft" equaliser in the closing stages but is still happy to have their destiny very much in their own hands.
"It was a phenomenal first half. We were very disappointed because in the course of the game, Dundalk didn’t really have many chances and we were very disappointed with the late goal.
'It's still in our control' - Cork City manager John Caulfield pic.twitter.com/qi0DNo19GC
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) September 25, 2017
"In the first half we were outstanding, created some great chances. Gary Rogers made a great save when we were 1-0 up.
"The league goes to the last game of the season. After losing the last two games there was maybe a bit of doom and gloom, but the supporters were great tonight.
"Dundalk threw everything at us, but it’s still within our control."
