Updated at 23.24

SHAMROCK ROVERS STRUCK late to steal a 1-1 draw in tonight’s Premier League clash against Sligo Rovers.

Karl Sheppard headed home the Hoops’ equaliser in a frantic finale, which also saw Sligo’s leading scorer Anthony Elding shown a straight red card by referee Alan Kelly.

The champions arrived in Tallaght with just one point to show from their last two league outings and looked to have their title defence back on track, with David Cawley punishing some sloppy Hoops defending early in the second half.

Injuries and suspensions forced manager Ian Baraclough into an unorthodox line-up with Tallaght local Aaron Greene asked to deputise at left-full and Pascal Millien handed a rare start on the right.

Despite some early Sligo flourishes, it was the home side who dominated an open and entertaining first half, though they had nothing to show for it at the break. Gary Rogers was the busier of the two goalkeepers but dealt comfortably with the two best chances of the opening 45 as first Stephen Rice and then Gary McCabe tried to sidefoot past him from inside the box.

When it came early in the second half, Sligo’s breakthrough was Rovers’ own undoing. Barry Murphy’s fluffed clearance caught Danny Ledwith off guard and when the ball bobbled back into Cawley’s path, he showed a cool head to slip it past the keeper and spark frantic celebrations among the away fans.

To their credit, Rovers stuck at their task and continued to pin Sligo back inside their own half as they pressed in search of equaliser. If they needed a reminder of how dangerous this Sligo side can be on the counter, it came when Foran was called upon to nick a dangerous cross away from Millien.

The pressure paid off five minutes from time when Jason McGuinness headed back across goal and Sheppard stole in to nod past a helpless Rogers.

Elding saw red when he clashed with Stephen Rice directly from the restart, but a bad night could have turned even worse had Ciaran Kilduff’s late chance clipped the inside rather than outside of Rogers’ post.

Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Athletic earned a 2-0 victory against Cork City at Turners Cross.

Anthony Flood opened the scoring for the visitors on 22 minutes, as he headed in Chris Forrester’s cross.

John Russell then extended his side’s advantage, after some clever interplay with Flood.

UCD couldn’t secure another unexpected win, after they defeated Shamrock Rovers unexpectedly last week, as they were beaten 2-0 by Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Adam Hanlon opened the scoring with an impressive effort from distance, before Stephen Hurley doubled Shels’ lead with an excellent volley.

Dundalk earned a narrow 1-0 away to Bray, thereby keeping pace towards the top of the table.

The only goal of the game arrived just after half-time, as Pat Hoban headed in substitute Darren Meenan’s corner.

At the Brandywell, Limerick couldn’t push on against Derry, losing 2-1 even after Steve Folan headed in Shane Tracy’s corner early on.

A late show began with an 86th minute goal from Mark Griffin, as he struck the equaliser following a goalmouth scramble.

And there was still time Rory Patterson‘s deflected effort to send the home fans wild and send the team to the top of the league.

Finally, Drogheda‘s tie at home to Bohemians ended in a 2-2 draw.

Michael Daly put his side ahead in the opening minute, as he headed in David Cassidy’s cross.

There were then two quick-fire goals. Dwayne Wilson controversially equalised after 36 minutes, appearing to control the ball with his hand before striking the ball past Gabriel Sava.

Five minutes later, Paul O’Conor scored from a rebound after his header was blocked on the line, before Ryan McEvoy scored just after half-time, as Andy Mulligan’s initial shot was diverted into his path.

Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy

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