PETER WITHNELL was the hero of a sparse home attendance for the second week in succession bat Oriel Park.

After a pretty aimless game Finn Harps got their noses in front with a scrappy goal in the 65th minute and it looked bad for the home side. But once again Withnell came up trumps with a cracking goal just three minutes later.

Finn Harp's made poor use of the breeze in the first half as Dundalk with Mick Doohan, back in the centre of defence after three games suspension, steadied up on previous performances.

Finn Harps took the lead against the run of play in the 65th minute when a John Quigg free kick was mistimed by goalkeeper Les Fridge and Speak headed the ball down to Dowling who scored at the second attempt.

Withnell's goal in the 68th minute was set up by a cross into the box by David Crawley which Withnell took well, turned the home defence and bit a great shot to the net from about 15 yards giving David Platt no chance.

In the closing stages both sides seemed content enough to settle for the draw and there were no more scoring chances for either side.