Linfield earn draw at Shels

Shelbourne 0 Linfield 0

Linfield stretched their unbeaten run to a remarkable 45 games as both sides finished with ten men.

Holders Blues, who won the trophy at Tolka Park last year, utterly frustrated Shelbourne to move a point clear at the top of Group 2.

Shels were positive from the start with Jason Byrne wasting a glorious chance when blazing over on eight minutes.

Blues had Paul McAreavey harshly sent off for reacting to a bad challenge on him by David Crawley on 24 minutes.

Shels continued to dominate and the lively Glen Crowe volleyed against a post in first-half stoppage time.

Crowe again shot off a post two minutes into the second half as Shels laid siege to the Blues goal.

But try as they might, Shels could find no way through and had defender Colin Hawkins was sent off on 75 minutes for stamping on Miahcel Gault.