Wexford 2-3 Dundalk: Robbie Benson edges Lilywhites…

Wexford 2-3 Dundalk: Robbie Benson edges Lilywhites into FAI Cup quarter-finals after extra-time battle

ROBBIE BENSON got Dundalk out of jail as they progressed to the FAI Cup quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth.

The midfielder slotted home a 111th minute spotkick to clinch an absorbing tie in which Wexford came from behind to deservedly lead 2-1.

Luka Lovic and the impressive Ger Shortt had combined to cancel out David McMillan’s soft opener.

And Ian Ryan’s team whipped up a frenzy and could have been out of sight but for inspired Lilywhites goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd.

They pulverised Dundalk’s gaping defence time and again, but just lacked the street smarts to close it out and Ryan O’Kane finished well to force extra-time.

Dundalk’s experience stood to them in those late stages, as they held a Wexford side that dumped Sligo Rovers out in the previous round at bay.

Just in case Dundalk arrived here in any doubt as to how Wexford have been getting on of late, the home fans reminded them time and again.

“There's only one Wexford FC, we used to be s***e, but now we’re alright …,” they sang.

And the hosts certainly had plenty about them as they chased a second giant-killing on the spin.

Shortt’s power, pace and low centre of gravity was a constant conundrum for Lilywhites centre-backs Andy Boyle and Sam Bone who endured a torrid night.

And he had Wexford’s best chance of the opening half, only for Shepperd to defuse matters when palming the ball to safety.

A Keith Ward free-kick that deflected for a corner was the sum of Dundalk’s parts until they were handed the opener on a plate.

Runar Hauge’s cross wasn’t dealt with by Len O’Sulliovan and fell to Bradley on the right hand side of the box.

The on-loan Hibs winger’s shot was saved by Alex Moody but the goalkeeper only took the sting out of the ball with one hand.

It wriggled free and McMillan was on hand to tap home from close range and become the club’s all-time record scorer in this competition with 15 goals.

But Wexford refused to buckle and Ryan’s exciting team were just relentless thereafter and would have been out of sight but for Shepperd.

The Welsh goalkeeper first denied Harry Groome when he was put through one-on-one and was even better thwarting Adam Wells at close range soon after.

But he couldn’t make it a hat-trick of saves soon after as Lovic sauntered through Dundalk’s non-existent rearguard to score.

And Wexford kept piling on the pressure - and on Boyle and Bone in particular - with Wells and Shortt both forcing more saves from Shepperd.

But Shortt wouldn’t go without. His tenacity deserved reward and he got it on 66 minutes, finishing off Lovic’s through ball in style.

Dundalk didn’t know what hit them. And yet they still had the wherewithal to get back on level terms with 13 minutes to go.

Livewire O’Kane finished well after getting the better of Paul Cleary down the left.

Both teams could have won it in the dying minutes of normal time. Groome somehow managed to hook Conor Davis’ cross over the crossbar from right underneath it.

And Robbie McCourt’s close range header, with just Moody to beat, had no power on it whatsoever.

But Benson’s penalty, after Jordan Tallon clipped John Martin in the 111th minute of a gripping tie, packed the right punch to prevent a shootout and see Dundalk through.

WEXFORD: Moody 6; Cleary 6 (Dobbs 75, 5), Manley 7, Tallon 6, O’Sullivan 6; Crowely 7 (Byrne 102, 5), Farrell 7, Lovic 7, Groome 7 (Corcoran 109, 5), Wells 6 (Davis 75, 6); Shortt 8 (Considine 87, 5)

DUNDALK: Shepperd 8; Macari 6 Boyle 5, Bone 5, McCourt 5 (Mountney 92, 6); Sloggett 6; Bradley 6, Ward 5 (Benson 61, 7), Adams 5 (O’Kane 61, 7), Hauge 5 (Lewis 61, 6); McMillan 6 (Martin 83, 6).

Referee: A Reale (Kildare)

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