Jim Ervin celebrates after scoring a penalty at Richmond Park

Linfield secured a 1-1 draw against St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park to keep alive their hopes of qualification for the Setanta Sports Cup semi-finals.

Mark McAllister had an early chance but Alex Williams poked the ball home from close range to put St Pat's ahead in the 15th minute.

Jim Ervin equalised with a 36th-minute penalty after Jamie Tomelty had been brought down inside the area.

Tomelty and Peter Thompson squandered second-half chances for the Blues.

Only goalkeeper Alan Blayney and Thompson were retained from the starting line-up which faced Crusaders on Tuesday night.

Williams opened the scoring after a ball into the box caused panic in the Linfield defence.

Gareth Coughlan fired a 20-yard free-kick just wide before Ervin levelled with his spot-kick.

After the break, Tomelty was just off-target with a low drive and then Blayney saved from Ryan Guy and David Mulcahy.

Tomelty shot over the bar and Thompson dragged a shot narrowly wide.

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