Finn Harps and Shelbourne share the spoils

Whether it's a point gained or two dropped against Shelbourne remains to be seen for Finn Harps in the bid to beat the drop.

A share of the spoils was a fair result in the end, although with only five matches left to play perhaps the Ballybofey side will regret giving away the lead so soon after earning it. For Shelbourne, it’s three unbeaten as they head into October and an FAI Cup semi-final.

After the showers and a first half devoid of incident at Finn Park, Conor Tourish put Harps in front on 52 minutes only for Shelbourne to get back on terms within five minutes thanks to Stephan Negru.

From then on, anyone could’ve won it, although the draw coupled with with UCD’s loss at Bohemians meant Ollie Horgan’s side move up to ninth.

Harps lost their energy up top when Eric McWoods hobbled off to be replaced by Filip Mihaljevic just 14 minutes in. By then, neither goalkeeper was tested, although Matty Smith did fizz an early one over for the visitors.

Shelbourne saw Gavin Hodgins pull up and he was unable to continue, with Dan Carr coming in. Bar that, the fact two substitutions were the talking point of the first half tells a story in itself.

From the start of the second half though, there was more impetus shown from both parties, with Matty Smith putting a dangerous ball across the Harps six-yard box with no takers.

Seven minutes into the second half, the deadlock was finally breached, with Tourish glancing past Brendan Clarke in a crowded penalty area, Barry McNamee having delivered following a short corner by Ryan Connolly.

However, once they conceded Shelbourne went on the front foot, with Josh Giurgi in particular causing the Harps defence trouble.

It was Giurgi’s corner on 57 minutes that was met by Negru and although