Pat's and Linfield to meet again

St. Patrick’s Athletic 1 Linfield 1

Setanta Sports Cup Group 3 goes right to the wire in its final game when these sides meet again at Windsor Park on March 13.

Both remain locked on five points apiece with an identical goal difference with a semi-final spot at stake.

Rebuilt Saints, with seven new signings in their team, drew first blood with the lead goal on 14 minutes.

Linfield failed to deal with Gareth Coughlan’s free-kick into their box and the ball bounced up off defender Michael Gault for Alex Williams to bundle past keeper Alan Blayney.

But Linfield were the better side and, having forced six corners, finally levelled on 36 minutes.

St. Pat’s skipper Damian Lynch tripped Jamie Tomelty inside the box and Jim Ervin sent keeper Gary Rogers the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Saints edged the second half with Ryan Guy bringing the save of the match from Blayney on 55 minutes.