Shelbourne and St Pat's share the spoils after eight-goal thriller

Eoin Doyle proved spot on from 12 yards with a brace of penalties as St Patrick's Athletic came from behind three times to salvage a point in this rollercoaster Dublin derby at Tolka Park.

As well as eight goals, three of them penalties, there were three more disallowed. All mixed in with nine yellow cards and three reds, two from the dugouts.

The battling point edges St Pat’s to within four points of third placed Dundalk whom they meet at Oriel Park on Friday night.

Shelbourne enjoyed plenty of the ball against their suspension-hit visitors early on and were deservedly ahead on 13 minutes.

Shane Griffin's long ball broke off the suspiciously offside Shane Farrell for Sean Boyd who shot past Danny Rogers.

Scarcely in the game, St Pat’s hit back to equalise on 21 minutes.

All his own work, Barry Cotter collected skipper Joe Redmond’s long ball down the right to cut back across and drill a left-foot shot into the far corner.

If that came out of nothing, Shelbourne regained the lead in similar fashion 10 minutes later.

Scott Matty Smith collected a loose ball, careered forward to drive a shot that beat Rogers at his near post, scoring against the club he was leading scorer for last season.

The visitors thought they had levelled again nine minutes before the break, but Mark Doyle’s header was disallowed for a foul.

But Saints weren’t to be denied as they were on terms again as the watch ticked into added time.

Eoin Doyle’s super header from a Jay McClelland corner was tipped onto the crossbar by Brendan Clarke.

Harry Brockback appeared to get a touch back towards goal with Boyd merely helping the ball into the roof of the net for what may go down as an own goal.

A menace throughout at the other end, Boyd was central to Shels regaining