Aine O'Gorman misses penalty in Shels-Hoops stalemate

It was honours even in a feisty derby at a windswept Tolka Park as two sides with their eyes on the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division title cancelled each other out.

With Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both putting their unbeaten starts to the season on the line, it was the home side that started the brighter, causing the Hoops back line serious problems with their high pressing.

Alex Kavanagh whipped in a dangerous early free-kick from the right hand side that found the head of skipper Pearl Slattery - who recently celebrated her 35th birthday - but the Reds stalwart saw her header loop just over the bar.

Ex-Reds keeper Amanda Budden was called on moments later as Leah Doyle tried her luck from distance with a well struck free-kick but the Irish International stopper showed great hands to make the ball stick and deny any chance of a follow up.

The talented visitors defended excellently, with the commanding duo of Shauna Fox and Jessica Hennessy sweeping up anything that was coming their way.

The Kavanagh-Slattery axis thought they had put their side ahead when the midfield maestro delivered yet another inviting ball to the back post. This time Sattery smashed home a volley only to see the assistant referee's flag go up for offside.

In a breathless end-to-end battle Collie O'Neill's side, looking for their first victory of the new season, were gifted a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. A chaotic goalmouth scramble saw the ball eventually spring up and catch the arm of the unfortunate Jess Gargan, resulting in referee Ryan Maher pointing to the spot.

As expected Rovers captain Aine O’Gorman took responsibility from 12 yards, but unfortunately for the ex-Irish international, she saw