A injury-time Markus Poom header snatched a point for Shamrock Rovers in a thrilling contest with Derry City last night in Dublin.
Rovers look to have found a wingback combination in the midst of their injuries with the rejuvenated Darragh Burns opening the scoring on the hour before turning provider with a brilliant cross to find Poom at the back post in added time in a rain sodden Tallaght Stadium.
The Candystripes looked like they were going to have their second comeback victory in four days when Pat Hoban levelled from the spot before new super sub Danny Mullen bundled home from a corner with six minutes to play.
Conditions might have decimated the crowd in Tallaght but the greasy surface was a haven for attacking players with chances aplenty and those who braved the swirling wind and rain were entertained with four second-half goals.
The first chance of the game arrived in the 11th minute when Aaron Greene went through, but his shot across goal went the wrong side of the post.
The best opportunity of the half fell to Cameron McJannet following a well-worked short corner but Ben Doherty’s cross caught him napping in the six-yard area and the ball cannoned off his body and into the arms of Leon Pohls.
Derry had a mild penalty appeal turned down when Michael Duffy went down under pressure from Josh Honohan.
An even first half concluded with chances at both ends after neat combinations from both sides saw Burns pull an effort wide before Duffy saw a venomous effort in the area bravely blocked by Honohan
It was a tough night for goalkeepers across the Premier Division and Leon Pohls had his own hairy moment after the break when he spilled Paul McMullen’s cross under pressure from Hoban, and Duffy clipped the dropping ball over the bar from five yards.
As the game ticked towards the hour mark, Rovers went wing-back to wing-back as Burns picked out Poom at the back stick but he headed straight at Maher.
Moments later Burns, who looks reborn since returning to Ireland from MK Dons, profited from Graham Burke’s through ball and his finish squirmed under the body of Brian Maher.
The Candystripes should have equalised with 20 minutes to play but Duffy clipped the bar via a deflection and Rovers survived a goalmouth scramble.
A minute later, referee Damien McGraith awarded Hoban a very soft penalty which he stepped up to convert after minimal contact from Dylan Watts.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side, with their tails up, then bundled in a second through Mullen, but their dreams of a famous away victory were dashed by the rampaging Poom who made sure Rovers didn’t fall to a second straight defeat.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls, Josh Honohan, Lee Grace, Dan Cleary, Dylan Watts, Aaron Greene (Johnny Kenny 64), Graham Burke, Gary O’Neill, Markus Poom, Rory Gaffney, Darragh Burns
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce (Kelly 65), Shane McEleney, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty, Adam O’Reilly, Jordan McEneff (Mullen 78), Paul McMullan, Michael Duffy (Todd 78), Patrick Hoban (Coll 88)
Referee: Damien McGraith
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