Damien Duff rues 'two points dropped' for Shelbourne after Tallaght thriller

Damien Duff felt it was a case of two points dropped rather than a point earned as his Shelbourne side drew 2-2 with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

When Matty Smith's goal made it 2-0 on 51 minutes, it looked like Shels were on course for an impressive win on the road.

But Graham Burke, who had scored the own goal which had given the visitors a first-half lead, levelled shortly after and Roberto Lopes' 77th minute header saw reigning SSE Airtricity League champions Shamrock Rovers salvage a point.

"I think it's two points dropped for sure," Shelbourne manager Duff told RTÉ Sport when the dust had settled on the game.

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"And that's testament to the guys. You're coming away to the most difficult place in the country, (with) the best squad, best players, biggest budget, best team and we're disappointed we didn't win the game."

Duff opined that Shelbourne "deserved" all three points on the basis of their performance.

"We had the best chances, set up really well. I couldn't be prouder of them. They're in (the dressing room) gutted but they looked a proper team," said the former Republic of Ireland international.

He added: "You forget we're a newly promoted team. We're only in the league for five rounds of games if you understand what I mean. So to be coming to Tallaght, hard luck story but they were absolutely outstanding and I don't think anyone in the ground can disagree with me."

Defensive set-pieces have been an Achilles heel for Shelbourne and Lopes' equaliser came