Benson's extra-time penalty squeezes Dundalk past Wexford

(After extra-time)

Dundalk survived a major scare at Ferrycarrig Park as Robbie Benson's penalty in extra-time secured their place in the Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Wexford.

Having been second best for long periods of the game, Stephen O’Donnell’s side took the lead against the run of play on 38 minutes when David McMillan slotted home.

Ian Ryan’s side had been exploiting Dundalk’s high line to good effect and turned the game on its head in 11 second-half minutes as Luka Lovic equalised before Ger Shortt fired them ahead.

A first goal for his home town club from Ryan O’Kane secured extra-time for the Lilywhites, who were left breathing a sigh of relief when Benson slotted home 10 minutes from the end to seal the win.

Wexford started on top, posing their Premier Division opponents plenty of questions on the break, but it was the visitors who fashioned the game's first chance of note on 14 minutes when Joe Adams released McMillan on the left but his effort was easily saved by Alex Moody.

Dundalk then had their first major scare three minutes later when Conor Crowley’s corner was flicked on by the head of Shortt, with Greg Sloggett having to turn it behind before Adam Wells could pounce.

Shortt, who scored the winner in extra-time away to Sligo Rovers in the first round, then forced Nathan Shepperd into a fine save on 24 minutes with the Welsh keeper only able to push his effort away before Lewis Macari hooked the ball to safety.

Keith Ward then had a free kick deflect wide before the Co Louth men made the breakthrough somewhat against the run of play on 38 minutes.

Runar Hauge beat Paul Cleary on the left to drill a low cross into the box which the home side failed to clear. That allowed Steven Bradley to get