CORK CITY...1 SHAMROCK ROVERS...1: A brief outbreak of stone-throwing between rival supporters in the second half failed to spoil an exciting contest at Turner's Cross last night when Shamrock Rovers came from behind to salvage a point.

This contest between two in-form teams provided generous entertainment before an estimated 5,000 fans, and Cork succeeded in producing their best performance of the season at home to go close to winning the game.

But for the outstanding goalkeeping of their former player, Noel Mooney, in goal for Rovers, Cork would surely have secured their first league win at home since the opening day of the season.

Rovers extended their unbeaten run to six matches after they did well to contain Cork to just one goal in a fiery opening spell.

Rovers came much more into the game in the second half when they moved Stephen Gough into midfield and operated with just three in their defensive line.

They might have snatched a winner when Trevor Molloy narrowly headed over the bar in the 68th minute, but still it was Cork who always looked the more likely team with John O'Flynn coming in for the injured Kevin Doyle in the 43rd minute and proving equally effective.

Cork's goal came in the 17th minute when George O'Callaghan found Doyle clear on the left wing. His cross found Woods, who beat Mooney with a header.

Stephen Grant equalised with a fine solo goal in the 27th minute. He picked up a crossfield pass from Mark O'Brien to turn inside full-back Killian Lordan and as he ran across the edge of the penalty area, he shot on the turn to beat goalkeeper Michael Devine from 20 yards.

CORK CITY: Devine; Lordan, Bennett, D Murray, Murphy; Woods, O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Nwankwo; Doyle (O'Flynn 43), Fenn (Behan 88).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mooney; Croly, McGuinness, Palmer, Gough; O'Brien, O'Halloran, Caffrey (Doyle 56), Grant; Robinson, Molloy.

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).