Linesman struck by object thrown from away end mars Shelbourne draw at Drogheda United

There was late drama aplenty at Weavers Park but Sean Boyd's late goal was overshadowed by an incident which saw assistant referee Dermot Broughton struck by an object thrown from the away section.

Boyd’s 94th minute header ultimately rescued a point for Shelbourne but the match was almost immediately halted after Broughton was hit. The visiting fans lit up their stand with flares when Boyd put the ball in the net and Brougton needed instant attention.

Referee Rob Hennessy paused the game and then took the teams off the field as the official was medically assessed. After 15 minutes, he returned – but to the other side – as the game’s final moments played out.

United looked to have condemned Damien Duff’s leader leaders to a first defeat of the season. Evan Weir’s free kick – his third such goal of the campaign was deflected off Boyd’s head, leaving Conor Kearns stranded.

Boyd headed in Tyreke Wilson’s cross before the shameful incident that once again puts the spotlight on supporter conduct and the use of flares in grounds.

Drogheda were without Andrew Wogan for the first time since he made his league debut 10 months ago. The teenager goalkeeper picked up a muscle injury in training meaning South African international Jethren Barr was handed a first league start.

With goals proving hard to come by for the Drogs, Kevin Doherty’s decision to leave both Zishim Bawa and Frantz Pierrot on the bench underlines their personal struggles. Ryan Brennan, a former Shels player and occasional thorn in the side of Damien Duff’s team, lead the line.

Duff himself shuffled his pack after last weekend’s double duty. Kameron Ledwidge, Dean Williams and John Martin were brought in. The latter scored a dramatic late winner against Drogheda in the