Shelbourne twice came from behind against a strong Middlesbrough side before succumbing to a late goal in last night's challenge match at Tolka Park.
The Middlesborough team, which featured Paul Gascoigne, opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Neil Maddison headed home Juninho's free kick. But Shelbourne drew level three minutes after the break when Pat Fenlon drilled in a shot from 10 yards before Dubliner Michael Cummins immediately put the visitors back in front.
In the closing stages, Shelbourne were awarded a penalty which Dessie Baker converted, only for Middlesbrough to respond through their central defender Gianluca Festa with four minutes to go.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, McCarthy, Campbell, Geoghegan, R Baker, Van der Velden, Middlemas, Fenlon, Browne, Powell. Subs: D Baker for Browne (50 mins), Kelly for Powell (61 mins), Byrne for Fenlon (68 mins), Scully for Middlemas (72 mins); Benson for Geoghegan (70 mins), O'Leary for Williams (81 mins).
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer; Pallister, Festa, Vickers, Stockdale, Mustoe, Gascoigne, Maddison, Fleming, Rickard, Juninho. Sub: Cummins for Vickers (half time).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
