AMMOND GOES NUTS AS ROVERS GRAB LATE, LATE DRAW; EIRCOM LEAGUE S ROVERS 1 UCD 1.

PAURIC Ammond was the hero for Shamrock Rovers last night as Pat Scully's side came back from a goal down and penalty miss to secure a point in a pulsating game against UCD in Tolka Park last night.

Ammond, who has endured months of injury hell, sprang from the bench before smashing in the leveller three minutes from time to spare the blushes of Tadgh Purcell who saw his 83rd minute spot-kick saved by the superb Matt Gregg.

It was rough justice for Pete Mahon's side, who are fast becoming the unluckiest side in the league, after they had dominated the first 80 minutes of the game.

However, the Hoops dug deep to end their two match losing streak and the Tolka Park faithful will be hoping that this spirited comeback can get their league challenge back on track.

O'Connor's clumsy challenge on Paul Byrne led to UCD's opener.

The position of the freekick hardly suggested at an immediate goal threat but Derek Doyle's effort from five yards outside the area on the right-hand side of the box was curled into the far corner of the Rovers net with conviction.

Rovers never got going and UCD almost doubled their advantage straight after the break when Paul Byrne's header was cleared off the line by Stapleton.

But the home side looked to have been given a lifeline when Ian Bermingham felled Dessie Baker in the area but Gregg pulled off a superb save to deny Purcell.

However, in a frantic final few minutes in which Rovers jabbed and UCD countered Padraig Ammond was back to play the heroes part, turning in a shot from 10 yards.

CAPTION(S):

DELIGHT: Rovers' Pat Scully