A superb 55th minute volley from Kevin McHugh earned Finn Harps a share of the spoils against Cork City on Saturday night, but the struggling home side will feel they should have won the match.

They went behind in the 22nd minute when former Harps striker, James Mulligan, pounced on an error in the home defence, but while his shot was cleared by Shane Bradley, Colm O'Brien was on hand to slam in the rebound. Harps could have equalised two minutes later when new signing James Marrow shot narrowly wide, while Johnny Kenny flicked the ball into the goalkeeper's arms in the 32nd minute when he really should have scored.

Their equaliser 10 minutes into the second-half came when Jonathan Minnock delivered a magnificent cross into the box for McHugh to fire past Cork sub keeper Noel Mooney, who had replaced the injured Michael Devine in the 39th minute. Indeed, it was Mooney who helped secure all three points for Cork with a string of fine saves in the second-half. The first came in the 78th minute when he was quickly off his line to deny McHugh with his feet.

He was on hand again in the closing minutes to make an excellent block from Johnny Kenny and while Harps threatened a winner in the 90th minute with a shot from Marrow that flew just wide, they couldn't muster up a second goal for the much needed win.

FINN HARPS: Downey; R Kenny, Minnock, Fitzhenry, Bradley, McGrenaghan, Mohan, J Kenny, Marrow, McHugh, Harkin. Subs: Loyd for Fitzhenry (83 mins).

CORK CITY: Devine; O'Halloran, Horgan, O'Rourke, Napier, Buckley, Cahill, Flanagan, O'Brien, Morley, Mulligan. Subs: Caulfield for Mulligan (51 mins), Tynan for O'Brien (64 mins), Mooney for Devine (39 mins).

Referee: J Feighrey (Dublin).