Erin McLaughlin on spot to seal Peamount win over Wexford

Champions Peamount United were pushed all the way to earn a hard-fought three points at home against an excellent Wexford side, who were forced to play the closing stages with 10 players.

A late Erin McLaughlin penalty - following Wexford captain Kylie Murphy's dismissal - meant the points remained at PRL Park, with little between the sides over the course of a heated encounter.

Prior to kick off, there was a beautifully observed minute's silence for the father of hugely popular Wexford winger Abbie Brophy, who died just a few days ago.

The Pea’s, looking for some home comforts having been edged out by title rivals Shelbourne last time out at PRL Park, started on the front foot against a visiting side boasting some serious attacking threat of their own, albeit without star forward Rianna Jarrett.

Irish International McLaughlin was at the heart of everything for the hosts, pulling the strings in the attacking midfield position although Wexford stopper Jayne Merren remained untested in the early exchanges..

Having settled into the game, the aforementioned firepower from the visitors began to come to the fore. The enigmatic Ellen Molloy began to find pockets of space and former Women’s National League Player of the Year, Emily Corbet, showed her class with some excellent link up play.

As the rip-roaring first half flew past, the needle in the game grew too with some tough tackles and contentious decisions only adding fuel to the fire.

It was the hosts who looked the more likely to break the deadlock though. The Irish under-19 contingent of Freya Healy, Jess Fitzgerald and Ellen Dolan all went agonisingly close through strikes from distance, with the hard-working Dolan smashing the crossbar midway through the half.

But the threat