Harry Wood's goal seven minutes from the end earned Shelbourne a share of the spoils with Dundalk at Oriel Park to keep their European hopes very much alive.
Less than 72 hours after seeing his side bow out of Europe to Icelandic side KA Akureyri, Stephen O’Donnell made seven changes to his side but it looked like one of the survivors would prove the match winner, with John Martin firing the Lilywhites ahead with a stunning 39th-minute free-kick.
The home side couldn’t add a second, however, with Wood - who turned 21 on Wednesday - popping up with his second goal in as many matches to earn Damien Duff’s side a deserved share of the spoils.
It was the visitors who started the best with a couple of big chances from corners inside the opening five minutes.
Firstly, Wood was unable to turn the ball in at the near post before John Ross Wilson had big penalty appeal dismissed by referee Kevin O’Sullivan after appearing to have been pushed over in the box by Hayden Muller.
Muller then had another let-off on nine minutes when he had his pocket picked by his opposite number Wood on the half-way line but fortunately for him the on loan Hull City star’s attempt to catch out Nathan Shepperd with a first-time effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper.
Dundalk gradually grew into the game with Cameron Elliott getting in on goal on 11 minutes only to be denied by the legs of Conor Kearns.
The Scottish striker had the ball in the net soon after but it was ruled out following a coming together between Martin and Kearns in the build-up as they looked to get to Daryl Horgan’s cross.
Either side of two shots off target from Johannes Yli-Kokko, the Louth men took the lead on 39 minutes when Martin unleashed an unstoppable free-kick to the top right-hand corner from 25 yards after the Finn had been fouled.
The second half was a cagey affair although Greg Sloggett did go close to doubling the home side’s lead when his shot from range on 59 minutes was pushed around the post by Kearns.
After a free-kick from Wood had flashed just wide, the hosts went close again on 70 minutes when a brilliant driving run by substitute Ryan O’Kane saw the teenager cut in from the left onto his right foot but his eventual shot flashed just over.
Gavin Molloy then passed up a good chance at the other end three minutes later when he got on the end of another Wood free only to fire off target from eight yards out.
Kearns then redeemed himself for a poor kick-out on 81 minutes as he saved with his legs from Daniel Kelly from O'Kane's cross to keep his side in the game.
Within two minutes Shels were level with Wood breaking in from the left onto his right foot to fire across Shepperd to the bottom right hand corner.
The visitors went closest to a winner after that with Wood’s cross from the left picking out substitute Shane Farrell, who poked the ball goalwards but it was easy for Shepperd to deal with.
Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Hayden Muller, Darren Brownlie (Patrick Hoban 76), Louie Annesley, Robbie McCourt (Ryan O’Kane 63); Greg Sloggett, Johannes Yli-Kokko, Daryl Horgan; Cameron Elliott (Daniel Kelly 63), John Martin (Andy Boyle 77)
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; John Ross Wilson (Jad Hakiki 61), Andrew Quinn (Paddy Barrett HT), Gavin Molloy, Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson; Evan Caffrey, Mark Coyle (Shane Farrell 72), JJ Lunney, Harry Wood; Jack Moylan (Will Jarvis 61)
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)
