SUGARLOAF FC'S first ever top flight Wicklow League encounter saw them take a well earned point off journeymen St. Peter's Bhoys on Sunday. The 'Loaf took a surprise first-half lead through winger Eoin McMahon who opened his account for the season with a stunning long-range effort. Fellow winger Emmet Lawless switched flanks, spreading the ball out left to McMahon. The number 11 was halted initially by his marker but the ball then bounced up invitingly for him and he took all by surprise; sending a beautiful dipping effort flying over the head of Shane Gallagher in the Saints goal from all of 25 yards.

Already trailing, the Saints were then dealt another blow when midfielder Chris Farrell suffered a horrific knee injury after coming off second best in an innocent 50-50 challenge in the 38th minute. Play was halted while an ambulance arrived to take the midfielder to hospital and upon restarting the game, the People's Park side immediately set about finding an equalizer.

And they should have gone in level at the half-time break after striker Jamie Kelly was guilty of missing a glorious chance.

Darren McAteer's right wing cornerkick was headed on by Shane Byrne and Kelly pounced, diving down low to head the ball over from just four yards out.

Things could have been worse for the visitors though as the hosts could have taken more than just a one goal lead in at the interval.

In the ninth minute, Gallagher had to be alert to deny McMahon from close range after he had once again been picked out by Lawless.

And on 36 minutes Lawless' flag kick was flicked on by Jake White Bowen and then guided towards goal by experienced campaigner Darren Collopy, who was denied a first goal in Sugarloaf colours by Shane Byrne who headed off the line.

That proved to be Byrne's last significant contribution in the tie as he was replaced by Daniel McCann in the 60th minute but it proved to be another substitute - Chad Ryan - who made the difference when he whipped in a right wing cross on 61 minutes that Tony Harris expertly guided past the despairing dive of Colum Tinsley and into the back of the net. Game on.

Neither side seemed willing to settle for a point and it was the home side who threatened to take the lead first when McMahon spread the ball out to Collopy who glided past his man with ease before firing a left-footed effort towards goal that forced Gallagher into a fine fingertip save; turning the ball over the crossbar for a corner-kick.

Not to be outdone, Peter's soon carved out an opportunity of their own and what an opportunity it was. Ryan made space for himself down the left wing and drilled in a low cross for the inrushing Thomas Tobin but the midfielder dragged his shot a foot wide of Tinsley's far post when he really should have scored.

Tobin again went close four minutes later when he sent a towering header from a McAteer corner inches over the crossbar.

A Sugarloaf corner then saw left back Jake White Bowen head straight at Gallagher and the young shot-stopper comfortably made the save.

Gallagher had to be at his very best two minutes from time to stop his side falling behind. Barry Brennan's perfectly flighted free-kick picked out Collopy and the frontman's header saw Gallagher push the ball away at full stretch.

And Gallagher's opposite number also had to keep his wits about him late on when he was called on twice in as many seconds to deny the extremely lively Chad Ryan.

All in all, a point apiece was the fairest outcome.

* The Bray/Wicklow People would like to wish Chris Farrell a full and speedy recovery from his injury.

Top Form: Shane Gallagher (St. Peter's Bhoys): Kept his side in it with some good saves.

- DANIEL GORMAN