It was a diplomatic draw but neither side was happy with the outcome of this Eircom Premier League clash at Buckley Park on Saturday.

"We got one point, but it should have been three," blasted Kilkenny manager Pat Byrne. And his Rovers counterpart, Damien Richardson, kept his charges locked in the dressingroom for nearly half-an-hour afterwards when some harsh words were delivered.

Rovers were lucky, and it took a 94th-minute goal to save their blushes. The home goalkeeper Roddy Forde and defender Tommy Byrne got into a tangle and Billy Woods was sent tumbling to the turf.

A linesman's flag went up, a penalty was awarded and Sean Francis earned Rovers their second draw. Kilkenny took the lead in the 57th minute when a cross from the left by Brian Jordan was missed by the defenders. David Mulcahy found himself alone at the back post and he tapped home with ease.

Kilkenny had two subsequent chances to wrap up the points. In the 65th minute Jason Kabia was denied by goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd, and in the 91st minute he put the ball narrowly wide.

This was Kilkenny's first point on their return to Premier football, but in a game that never really sparked to life it was easy to understand the dissatisfaction of both managers.

KILKENNY CITY - R Forde; D Mulcahy, R Carolan, T Byrne, S O'Riordan, D Brennan, D McGrath, O Mullen, W Parkes, G Costello, J Kabia. Subs: B Jordan for Parkes 52 mins, R Kenny for McGrath 78 mins, M Kerley for Mullen 85 mins.

SHAMROCK ROVERS - T O'Dowd; D Smith, T Dunne, P Deans, T Palmer, J Colwell, D Tracey, B Woods, S Francis, M Kenny, S Robinson. Subs: G Brazil for Palmer 46 mins, M Britton for Kenny 78 mins, R Purdie for Robinson 81 mins.

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).