Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in their rearranged Premier Division clash at Tolka Park with all the goals arriving in the first half as Stephen Bradley's side came from two down to take a point.
It left the Reds still searching for their first home win of the season having been held by Galway United and losing to a stoppage-time Max Mata goal against St Patrick's Athletic last Friday.
Goals from Harry Wood and John Martin had Shels two up by the 13th minute, but these strikes were cancelled out by John McGovern and a Dylan Watts penalty
Shels probably shaded the second half in terms of chances created, but neither side could fashion a winner on a fine dry night in north Dublin in front of a healthy Monday crowd of over 5,000 spectators.
Both sides made multiple changes from their last respective fixtures with 6’4" Cambridge United defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi, on loan to Shelbourne for the rest of the season, coming in at centre-half for his first start.
Rovers manager Bradley again shuffled his starting 11 from the win over Derry City with Aaron Greene joining McGovern in a two-pronged attack and Lee Grace returning in defence in place of the injured Dan Cleary.
The teams were due to meet in Week 2 of the season but it was postponed due to inclement weather and it was Shels who started in a blaze as the home side had a real chance in the opening minutes.
Wood found James Norris at the back post, but instead of shooting, Norris set up Martin who fired over.
But the home supporters didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal as in the eighth minute, Wood found himself on the edge of the area in acres of space, giving him time to fire home low past the dive of Hoops' 'keeper Ed McGinty.
The right-footed effort was Wood's fourth league goal in as many games.
Unbelievably, Shels went two up in the 13th minute.
A cross to the back post appeared to be arching wide, but much to visitor’s surprise, the ball swung infield to the waiting Wood at the back post at the Drumcondra end. He put it across the area for the unmarked Martin to tap home at the back post.
Rovers pulled a goal back in the 26th minute as Mise Sobowale crossed from the right to find McGovern in the area. The striker bided his time before scoring low past Wessel Speel via the post.
It got better for the Hoops as they were level 32 minutes in.
A lovely ball over the top by Matt Healy found McGovern who was taken down by the diving Speel and referee Rob Hennessey immediately pointed to the spot.
Watts, who scored the winner against Derry City last Friday, also from a penalty, made it 2-2 by sending Speel the wrong way to leave the game level at the break.
The end-to-end nature of the game continued after the restart with Shels passing up a great chance to retake the lead in the 53rd minute as Maili Lundgren’s cross found Dan Kelly all alone in the six-yard box, but with only McGinty to beat, he headed wide.
The home side continued to create the best chances in the second half.
Sub Ali Coote shot narrowly wide while Rossi saw his goal-bound header hit a defender and land on the top of the Rovers' net.
Rovers made a quadruple substitution on the 68th minute, showing the strength of their bench, with Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Michael Noonan and Adam Brennan all making an appearance.
Burke showed great skill and ball retention to turn the Shels defence ten minutes from time as Rovers searched for the winner, but having worked the opening, the former Irish International shot over from the edge of the area.
At the other end, Wood set up Cleary late on who also had too much height on his effort as the game ended honours even.
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sean Gannon (Sam Bone 65) JJ Lunney (Will Jarvis 77), Zeno Ibsen Rossi James Norris, Daniel Kelly, Maili Lundgren (Ali Coote 55), Kerr McInroy (John Henry Francis 55), Harry Wood, Kaeron Ledwidge; John Martin (Sean Boyd 65).
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan; Mise Sobowale (Adam Brennan 68), Matt Healy, Conor Malley (Jack Byrne 68), Dylan Watts (Victor Ozhianvuna 77), Danny Grant; John McGovern (Michael Noonan 68), Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 68).
Referee: Rob Hennessey.
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