All to play for as Shelbourne hold Deportivo

Shelbourne 0 Deportivo La Coruna 0

Shelbourne held Spanish giants Deportivo to a draw at Lansdowne Road tonight as they bid to upset the odds and reach the Champions League group stages.

Pat Fenlon’s eircom League side moved the first leg of this qualifying tie across Dublin from their usual Tolka Park home, and a sell-out crowd of 24,000 saw the Irish champions make sure they go into the second leg in two weeks with a chance of progress.

In a game of few chances, Alan Moore went closest with a glancing second-half header which was kept out by Deportivo goalkeeper Jose Molina.

Shelbourne were never overawed by their more illustrious opponents and regularly tested the Depor defence.

Stuart Byrne had a powerful shot blocked by Jorge Andrade in the seventh minute after a fine passing move involving six Shelbourne players was only half cleared by the Spaniards.

Two minutes later, former Irish international Moore almost reached a Wes Hoolahan ball only for first-choice keeper Jose Molina to race quickly off his line and make the save receiving a strong challenge from Moore in the process.

But, largely, defences were on top in the first half with both sides wishing for a more favourable bounce of the ball in the penalty area with a number of dangerous moves ending with defenders making no-nonsense clearances.

It was not until the final minute of the first-half that either goalkeeper needed to make a save when Steve Williams did well to hold a Victor Sanchez long-range effort.

However, seconds later Jason Byrne had a wonderful opportunity to put the Irish side in front when he miskicked Owen Heary’s pull-back right in front of goal.

All Shelbourne’s good first-half work was nearly undone in the opening three minutes of the second period.

In the 47th minute, David Crawley needlessly gave the ball away in his own half to Victor Sanchez, whose first time pass put Alberto Luque clean through - only for the winger to pull his right foot shot wide of the post.

A minute later, Shelbourne were again fortunate when Jamie Harris failed to deal with a hopeful clearance upfield by right-back Manuel Garcia, allowing Walter Pandiani in behind him – only for Heary to race across and make a timely intervention just as the striker was about to shoot.

Sensing the victory, Depor pushed forward in increased numbers but Shelbourne regrouped and held firm. Clearly frustrated, Deportivo began to lose their discipline at the back – and they were nearly punished in the 79th minute when Munua needed to go full length to keep out Moore’s header from the edge of the box after Hoolahan had again found space on the left.