Shields redeems himself to keep Bray in Premier Division for 2011

Bray Wanderers 1 Monaghan United 1

(AET. Bray won 7-6 on pens)

Chris Shields went from villain to hero as he scored the crucial penalty in a sudden death spot kick shoot-out to preserve Bray Wanderers’ Premier Division status.

In a dramatic last few minutes of extra-time, Monaghan took the lead on 117 minutes when first Brian Gartland’s shot came off a post from a Barry Clancy corner. But the ball fell for skipper Don Tierney whose follow-up shot was going wide before striking Shields and entering the net.

A perimeter wall then collapsed as Monaghan fans came on to the pitch to celebrate.

Bray then sensationally levelled in the 122nd minute when Monaghan keeper Gabriel Sava failed to hold Shields’ cross and Jake Kelly shot the loose ball to the net to force a penalty shootout.

Alan Byrne and Paul Whelan both missed penalties for Monaghan, while Sava saved from Gary Shaw, before Shields sent the Monaghan keeper the wrong way with the final kick.