Pascal Vaudequin was Shamrock Rovers' hero at Tolka Park, coming on as a sub to head a 78th-minute equaliser from Tony Grant's cross. And the draw was no more than Rovers deserved, after they had contributed fully to an enthralling Dublin derby.

Chances came thick and fast and Rovers had already missed two when Stephen Geoghegan put the league leaders ahead after just eight minutes, stroking home after James Keddy fresh-aired Dessie Baker's cross.

It took the Hoops until the 22nd minute to get back on terms, with dead-ball specialist Marc Kenny firing home a 20-yard special.

There was still more to come before half time, with Pat Fenlon putting Shels back in front with a cracking 30-yard shot on 36 minutes.

The action dropped a little in the second half, until Vaudequin delivered his equaliser. That sparked Shels off again and substitute Jonathan Prizeman gave Rovers a scare when he hit the upright in injury time.

Shelbourne: Williams Heary, Scully, McCarthy, Hutchison, R Baker, Byrne, Fenlon, Keddy, D Baker, S Geoghegan

Sub: Prizeman for Heary 85 mins

Booked: Heary 29, R Baker 63, D Baker 86

Goals: S Geoghegan 8, Fenlon 36

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan, Smith, Palmer, Cronin, Dunne, Kenny, Colwell, Tracey, Byrne, Francis, Grant

Subs: Woods and Vaudequin for Byrne and Tracey 70 mins, Cousins for Francis 72 mins

Booked: Dunne 42

Goals: Kenny 22, Vaudequin 75

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)