Late drama as Redmond rescues a derby point for Kenny's Saints

Shamrock Rovers thought they'd stolen a victory after Lee Grace's late header but had to settle for a draw

RED RISER: Joe Redmond of St Patrick's Athletic scores his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: St Patrick’s Athletic 2 (Melia 32’, Redmond 90+1’) Shamrock Rovers 2 (Byrne 37’, Grace 88’)

Title-chasing St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers were forced to settle for a point apiece in an incredibly dramatic Dublin Derby at a soaked Richmond Park.

Teen sensation Mason Melia had given his side the lead, before Jack Byrne hit back in a frenetic first half. With just three minutes remaining Lee Grace rose highest to head home before Joe Redmond returned the favour heading home an injury time equaliser.

The hosts, unbeaten since the narrow loss in Tallaght over a month ago, started at a rip-roaring pace forcing a couple of early corners as the boisterous crowd roared on.

After the initial wave of pressure the visitors began to get a foothold. Man-of-the-match from Monday's win Jack Byrne got the Saints defence turned with a couple of probing balls in behind.

In the ascendancy now, the visitors spurned a couple of further chances in quick succession. Dylan Watts really should have done better from inside the area, having been tee’d up by Rory Gaffney but failed to hit the target. Moments later Graham Burke went on a tremendous run into the area, showing great strength to hold off Jamie Lennon but he saw his low strike sharply saved by Anang to keep it level.

Momentum shifted just after the half-hour mark. Chris Forrester's low cross was cleared to the feet of Jason McClelland whose goalbound effort was bravely blocked behind.

From the resulting corner, and some goalmouth pinball, the ball eventually bounced up to Tottenham-bound Melia, who spun and volleyed through the legs of Ed McGinty.

The Hoops hit back five minutes later following a lightning-quick counter. Rory Gaffney burst from midfield before playing Burke through on goal. Anang, again, brilliantly saved from Burke’s sweeping point-blank strike.

But unfortunately for the Ghanaian he palmed the ball straight to Byrne who, like Melia, contorted his body brilliantly to volley home first time.

The relentless pace showed no signs of slowing in a feisty second half, as the hosts looked much better having presumably been read the riot act by Stephen Kenny. Despite their dominance the Saints failed to really threaten McGinty with goalmouth action at both ends at premium.

That was until three minutes to go when Byrne showed his quality yet again picking out Grace who made no mistake powering home to score what looked like the winner.

Redmond had other ideas though, and the skipper levelled brilliantly getting on the end of Jake Muraney’s inswinger to rescue a point for his side.

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang; Carl Axel Sjoberg (Ryan McLoughlin, 90’), Joe Redmond, Sean Hoare, Anto Breslin (Conor Carty, 90’); Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester; Zach Elbouzedi (Barry Baggley, 80’), Brandon Kavanagh (Kian Leavy, 71’), Jason McClelland (Jake Mulraney, 71’); Mason Melia 

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Danny Grant, Dylan Watts (Darragh Nugent, 57’), Matthew Healy, Jack Byrne, Josh Honohan; Graham Burke (Aaron Greene, 78’), Rory Gaffney (Michael Noonan, 63’) S

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)