Wood knocks Dundalk as Shels leave Oriel with a point

Harry Wood's goal seven minutes from the end earned Shelbourne a share of the spoils with Dundalk at Oriel Park to keep their European hopes very much alive.

Less than 72 hours after seeing his side bow out of Europe to Icelandic side KA Akureyri, Stephen O’Donnell made seven changes to his side but it looked like one of the survivors would prove the match winner, with John Martin firing the Lilywhites ahead with a stunning 39th-minute free-kick.

The home side couldn’t add a second, however, with Wood - who turned 21 on Wednesday - popping up with his second goal in as many matches to earn Damien Duff’s side a deserved share of the spoils.

It was the visitors who started the best with a couple of big chances from corners inside the opening five minutes.

Firstly, Wood was unable to turn the ball in at the near post before John Ross Wilson had big penalty appeal dismissed by referee Kevin O’Sullivan after appearing to have been pushed over in the box by Hayden Muller.

Muller then had another let-off on nine minutes when he had his pocket picked by his opposite number Wood on the half-way line but fortunately for him the on loan Hull City star’s attempt to catch out Nathan Shepperd with a first-time effort was easily saved by the goalkeeper.

Dundalk gradually grew into the game with Cameron Elliott getting in on goal on 11 minutes only to be denied by the legs of Conor Kearns.

The Scottish striker had the ball in the net soon after but it was ruled out following a coming together between Martin and Kearns in the build-up as they looked to get to Daryl Horgan’s cross.

Either side of two shots off target from Johannes Yli-Kokko, the Louth men took the lead on 39 minutes when Martin unleashed an unstoppable free-kick to the top