League Report: Shelbourne 0-0 Wexford Youths

View Eoin Smith's photos from this game

Shelbourne failed to close the gap on Wexford Youths in the First Division table as the sides played out a scoreless draw at Tolka Park on Friday evening.

The home side were the first to settle into their stride and in the opening 30 seconds of the game Mark Sandford was unlucky not to find himself one-on-one with Graham Doyle after Ryan Delaney’s back-pass forced the Youths 'keeper to race off his line and clear.

Despite their early dominance, Kevin Doherty’s side failed to trouble Doyle in the Wexford goal, with efforts from Gareth Coughlan and Sandford going well wide. Youths' first real foray into the Shels penalty area arrived courtesy of a free-kick just inside the Reds half which was met by Ryan Delaney, but his header was gathered by home 'keeper Greg Murray.

Shelbourne's best effort of the half arrived moments later when a long ball from the back by Evan Osam was neatly controlled by Philly Hughes. The 33 year old then knocked the ball down for striker partner Sandford, but his curling shot sailed just over the Youths crossbar.

As the half progressed, Shane Keegan's side began to grow into the game and from another set-piece delivery Lee Grace an opportunity to fire the visitors into the lead only to see his free header fly the wrong side of a relieved Murray’s far post. Then Conor Whitte tried his luck from 25 yards but his attempt didn't worry the Shels 'keeper.

When the sides re-emerged from the dressing rooms after the break it was the hosts who started brightly. First Dylan McGlade fired wide from the edge of the box before Hughes forced Doyle into a fantastic reaction save with a shot on the turn after the striker had controlled a long ball from Darragh Gannon.

Despite all the pressure from the hosts, Youths had two great chances to take the lead. Andrew Mulligan had a shot from the edge of the box which Murray could only gather at the second attempt with First Division top goalscorer Danny Furlong racing towards the rebound. Then, Murray spilled the ball again, this time in trying to pluck a Youths free-kick from the air, and a scramble in the six yard box ensued before Shels finally cleared the danger.

Substitute James English was convinced he should have had a penalty on the hour mark after the forward flicked the ball over his marker's head before going down in the penalty area. The appeals were waved away however and the home side continued to push forward in search of the game's opening goal. Hughes was denied by another brilliant Doyle save after he had latched onto a knockdown from English.

Ryan Robinson was the latest Shels player to test the Youths 'keeper, his header from an acute angle pushed behind by an inspired Doyle. From the following corner, Craig Walsh will be kicking himself he didn’t score after his effort from six yards was blocked on the line.

As the game approached the final ten minutes the hosts continued to throw the kitchen sink at the visitors, with Sean Heaney's backpost header forcing Doyle into yet another diving save. Wexford thought they had won the game with five minutes to go after the ball ended up in Murray’s net, but the referee blew his whistle for an infringement inside the box.

As full-time approached, Heaney had a second opportunity to seal all three points for Shels. An English header rebounded to the Shels defender, but he couldn't convert from six yards as Youths put their bodies on the line to ensure they left with at least a point.

Shelbourne: Greg Murray, Darragh Gannon, Ryan Robinson, Sean Heaney, Evan Osam, Gareth Coughlan, Jake Donnelly (Craig Walsh, 60), Daire Doyle, Dylan McGlade, Philip Hughes, Mark Sandford (James English, 46).

Subs Not Used: David Ryan, Paul Andrews, Colm Crowe, Carl Walshe, Alan O’Sullivan.

Booked: Coughlan (35).

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle, Craig McCabe (Willie Tyrell, 62), Gary Delaney, Lee Grace, Ryan Delaney, Andrew Mulligan, Peter Higgins, Craig Wall, Conor Whittle (Eric Molloy, 62), Danny Furlong, Paul Cahillane (Shane Dunne, 90+3).

Subs Not Used: Gavin Dowling, James Dermody, Chris Kenny, John Peare.

Booked: Craig Wall (86).

Referee: Ben Connelly.

Attendance: 762.

Extratime Man Of The Match: Philip Hughes (Shelbourne).