Mervue United 2-2 Kildare County

Philly Hughes spared Kildare County's blushes with a brace of second half goals which prevented A Championship side Mervue United from emerging from last night's relegation play-off with a healthy advantage.

Things were looked decidedly bleak for the First Division side after 28 minutes as they found themselves 2-0 down thanks to two fabulous strikes from Galway United old-boys Ollie Keogh and Dave Goldbey. But Hughes struck twice after the break to salvage some pride for Tony Cousins' side, who could, in fairness, have emerged comfortable winners had it not been for some woeful finishing.

Credit to Mervue too, though, who deservedly qualified for this play-off under the guidance of Johnny Glynn and Mark Herrick. They attacked with pace and no little skill in the opening half as Alex Lee caused right full and captain Paul Donnelly major problems on the wing. Goldbey and Keogh were also darting onto some clever long balls, while Cathal Brady was dribbling with intent from early on for the visitors.

Ciaran Kilduff should have given County the lead on 11 minutes when Hughes' delicate pass floated towards him but he headed straight at 'keeper Brian O'Donoghue from close range. Seven minutes later the home side were in front when Keogh picked up possession twenty five yards out and was faced with left full Bapa Issaka to beat. The striker jinked left and right before finding a yard of space to whip a right footed shot past Austin O'Neill, much to the delight of the 400 or so fans in attendance.

Colin Osborne could have immediately restored the game to parity but sliced his attempt badly wide, before Goldbey showed him how it was done with a clinical finish on 28 minutes. A fortunate deflection saw the ball land at the feet of Mike Tierney on the byline and he cut back for Goldbey to fire high into the net as he dashed near post.

Again Kildare created another fabulous chance, but this time Colin Murray volleyed wide at the back post with the goal at his mercy following a corner. A floodlight failure then gave Cousins time to regroup his squad, but it was in fact Mervue who could have added to their total when Goldbey raced away and rounded O'Neill but couldn't divert the ball into the net off his weaker left foot. It was to prove a major turning point.

Another ex-Galway United player, Colin Fortune, was called upon to resurrect his team's chances at half time, and the influential midfielder certainly had an effect, seizing control of the midfield sector from Gary Traynor and Rynal Browne.

Hughes' first goal came on 55 minutes when a long punt forward by Murray deceived young centre- half Martin Conneely, and Hughes showed his strikers instincts by calmly lifting the ball over the advancing O'Donoghue. Kilduff then had a header saved as Mervue's attacking threat diminished. Sub Rory Gaffney did blaze a shot high and over the bar but the strain was beginning to show as needless free kicks in dangerous areas were given away.

From one of these, in the 76th minute, Hughes profited. 25 yards out and pretty central, it loioked ideal for the deft left foot of Fortune but Hughes stepped up and stroked the ball over the wall and into the top corner to draw the sides level. Hughes was later denied a hat trick by Conneely's intervention on the goal line, and Tony Cousins side will be confident of completing the job on Friday night at Station Road, athough they will write off Mervue's chances at their peril.

Mervue United : Brian O'Donoghue; David O'Brien, Eric Browne, Martin Conneely, Kenny Farrell (Philip Ryan 88); Mike Tierney (Rory Gaffney 67), Rynal Browne, Gary Traynor, Alex Lee; Ollie Keogh (Pat Hoban 83), Dave Goldbey.

Kildare County : Austin O'Neill; Paul Donnelly, Colin Murray, David O'Connell, Babba Issaka (Colin Fortune 46); Cathal Brady (Colm Cassidy 88), Colin Osborne, Barry Slattery (Craig Mooney 46), Eoin Powderly; Philip Hughes, Ciaran Kilduff.

Referee: Padraig Sutton.