Merpro started brightly pinning their visitors back in the early exchanges.

Whitworth was desperately unlucky with a 22 yard rasping shot cannoning back of the bar with the Shamrock keeper rooted to the spot.

Merpro had a penalty claim denied in 10 minutes with Wilson appearing to be tackled from behind at the edge of the box.

Merpro, as so often has happened this season, were shocked with a clinically well finished breakaway goal against the run of play in 14 minutes.

Christie then had another chance but his first touch was heavy and the GK was able to get close to save his effort.

Christie again went close when the ball broke for him the edge of the box but his curling effort just evaded the junction of the goal.

Shamrock then had another break with only an excellent low diving save at the near post from Henderson preventing a goal.

Christie then created another chance evading several tackles to unselfishly push the ball across the face of the goal but agonisingly there were no takers to knock home the chance.

In the closing stages of the half Christie had another opportunity and then Whitworth made a powerful run only for the keeper to make a good save in the final minutes.

This was a good first half performance with some good wing play and Merpro continued to dominate in the second half.

Smith fired in a low cross leaving Donaldson with a gilt edged opportunity from 12 yards but he attempted to fire home with his first touch and slid the ball past the post in 52 minutes.

Merpro finally got their reward when Scott Wilson drilled the ball home from 10 yards after an Allan corner kick fell at his feet in 68 minutes.
Stephen then had another golden opening after an excellent retrieving tackle and cross from Wilson but was unable to convert his low header at the back post in 76 minutes.

Wilson then had an excellent chance to score a few minutes later as Merpro continued to pile on the pressure.

Allan looked to have finally broken the deadlock when a Doyle pass fell for him in the box and from 10 yards he calmly slid the ball towards the net with everyone anticipating the winning goal but out of nowhere a defender slid in to clear the ball off the line in the final minute.

Merpro have subsequently made a formal protest to the League Committee alleging Shamrock having fielded an ineligible player.

Merpro: Henderson, Harrison, Houston, Allan, Smith, Findlay, Wilson (Doyle), Whitworth, Christie, Stephen, Donaldson. Sub: Dunbar

Next Match on Saturday Ferrari's Shield Semi-final, St James (H) 2.00pm kick-off.