ST Pat’s were denied their first league win of the season after late controversy led to an Eastfield equaliser on Saturday.

It was harsh on the visitors, who should have been awarded a goal kick, instead the referee awarded a corner and as the ball swung over, Shaw out of his goal for some adventure, found Nairn who headed high into the roof of the net.

The game had also started with some controversy when the referee chalked off a Gardiner header as he was deemed offside, but the Saints soon got over the disappointment as they tried to prise open the home defence.

However, there was little joy in a disappointing first period, the breezy conditions and the synthetic surface were not helping and with both set of players working at an industrious scale that gave them little time for free expression.

The second half was more interesting though, stubborn defending was the order of the day with Bell and Deeley in good form against the Eastfield tricky duo of Dale Fulton and Nairn. With an hour gone there were close calls at both ends with Cannon bringing a clearance from Shaw who immediately punted the ball to Sean Cahill, his break forward eventually stopped with a telling tackle from Deeley inside the Saints penalty area.

This scare brought a minor rally in the Saints’ ranks a slick move across the park left Danny Graham free out on the left but his super cross along the goal line had no takers.

Then a minute later Graham again slipped down the left flank but his shot was parried by Shaw, however, a desperate clearance found Cannon in position to blast home from some 20-yards.