GREG YIVERTON's goal one minute into additional time saw Wexford Youths mix the bad with the good as they salvaged a point from a dominant Shelboure F.C. side in this Airtricity Division 1 clash at Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday afternoon last. While Wexford Youths will be very happy to have snatched a point, they will be none too pleased with their display which, after a promising opening 45 minutes, deteriorated to such an extent that Shels must still be wondering why they failed to add to their first-half tally given their dominance through the second period.

Wexford Youths going into this game were well aware of their form, having lost their previous three games which saw them drop to fourth from bottom, leaving points as crucial if they were to improve on their lowly position, having spent most of the season in the top half.

While there was an indication that they had the appetite for battle through the opening half, their play deteriorated on the resumption, as the visitors took total control in midfield where Dave Cassidy dictated the game, while centre-forward Philip Gorman will consider himself unlucky not to have emerged from the game with at least a half-trick as he created havoc up front.

Wexford Youths can thank 'keeper Pakie Holden that they were still in the game with a chance of salvaging something even as they moved into additional time with a string of superb saves, but that was where it finished as they struggled in most other sectors, with only Anto Russell and Gary Sheahan of the outfield players matching their opponents.

Both sides played it cautiously through the opening ten minutes, with the home team forcing their first corner after seven minutes which was cleared to safety.

There was little goalmouth action at either end until the 23rd minute when Muzzi Mullins pulled a superb ball across the goalmouth, but Gary Sheahan's weak shot was easily dealt with by 'keeper Dean Delaney.

Wexford Youths should have scored in the 30th minute when Ben Ryan found himself in space in front of goal but shot straight at 'keeper Delaney when he really should have scored from ten metres.

As the half progressed the Shelbourne dominance was becoming more pronounced, taking a deserved lead in the 33rd minute, with Wexford Youths not for the first time this season being caught on a dead ball move.

Dave Cassidy floated over a superb free-kick from out on the right which was headed down by Stephen Paisley, leaving Ian Ryan to knock the ball home from about five metres out.

One minute into additional time the visitors came close to extending their lead but it was 'keeper Holden who reacted to save superbly from Philip Gorman, with the covering Kevin Rowe clearing the loose ball to safety, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 half-time scoreline.

Ten minutes into the second-half, Wexford Youths came close to an equaliser when Shels right-back Ray Scully got his head to a Greg Ylverton cross, with the ball flying just inches over the bar for what turned out a fruitless corner.

But it was Shels who maintained the initiative through the second-half, with centre-forward Gorman forcing a fine save out of 'keeper Holden after 63 minutes, while at the opposite end Gary Sheahan shot straight at 'keeper Delaney from ten metres.

With Shels upping the tempo of their game, it was Gorman once again who got his head to a Dave McGill cross, forcing a superb save out of Holden, while on 77 minutes, Gorman unleashed a superb 30metre shot which the diving Holden deflected onto a post and away to safety.

Seven minutes from the end Dean Broaders was presented with an equalising opportunity but his first touch in front of goal let him down.

Then as the game moved almost two minutes into additional time, substitute Danny Furlong had a shot blocked, but Ylverton somehow steered the breaking ball through a crowded goalmouth for an equalising goal much to the delight of the 373 attendance.

Wexford Youths will now be hoping to build on this in their next home game with Monaghan United.

- BRENDAN FURLONG