Shelbourne and Athlone could not be separated in a thrilling SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division clash between the two sides who hoovered up the silverware this season.

First-half Noelle Murray magic was equalled by Becky Watkins Watkins wizardry in the second as both teams battled relentlessly.

Despite the honours settled for the season and the trophies tucked up in the cabinets, there was still massive importance on the clash at a chilly Tolka Park.

Knowing that Glaway United had leapfrogged them into second, and occupied the much coveted second European spot, the pressure was well and truly ramped up on the All-Island and FAI Cup winners to respond. And respond they did, flying out of traps.

Minus Nia Hannon, returning from a slight knock, and Keeva Keenan in her place it was the same side that started the FAI Cup final. One of the stars of the show that day, teenage sensation Halle Harcourt almost opened the scoring again with an audacious effort.

Having won her tussle with Kellie Brennan down the left flank, the talented 16-year-old attempted a chip from all of 40 yards out that clipped the wrong side of the post for her liking.

The league winning visitors had a less taxing week than normal in the build up and enjoyed a much deserved lap of honour at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Tuesday night at half time in the Senior Women's 4-0 win over Kazakhstan, but responded as Champions do and grabbed the lead after 10-minutes.

Former Reds legend, Murray, came back to haunt her old side with a stunning low drive that rifled into the bottom corner to break the deadlock and given her acrimonious exit, there was no chance of a muted celebration as she, and the entire squad, gathered at their bench to revel in the glory of a huge opener.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side as the much improved right winger Oilvia Damico seemed to pull up with a nasty looking hamstring injury having been played through on goal much in the same vein as Michael Owen did against Leeds back in 1999.

Having been under the cosh for the start of the second half, Damico’s replacement Watkins showed her class grabbing a fantastic equaliser as she raced clear down the right before standing up Kelis Barton. The former Peamount star cleverly shifted the ball and struck early low into the far corner and it was game on again.

The visitors continued to bomb forward creating a copious amount of dangerous situations but by a combination of last ditch defending and Mya Sanchez acrobatics it remained level.

Watkins continued to weave her spell down the right in a fascinating tussle with Barton as the home side desperately searched for a winner that would give them a two point lead over their European rivals.

Despite a ding-dong battle right to the end, neither side could find that one elusive moment of magic to take bragging rights, setting up pretty much a winner takes all clash in clash for Europe at Eamonn Deacy Park next week as Sean Russell’s Reds make the trip out West with the slight advantage of a better goal difference.

Shelbourne: Mya Sanchez; Jess Gargan, Keeva Keenan (Maggie Pierce, 70’), Pearl Slattery, Leah Doyle; Alex Kavanagh, Aoife Kelly; Olivia Damico (Rebecca Watkins, 28’), Isabella Flocchini, Maeve Wollmer; Halle Harcourt (Kate Mooney, 74’)

Athlone Town: Courtney Maguire; Kellie Brennan, Kelis Barton, Sofia Stovold, Roisin Molloy (Emma Mooney,, 82’); Hannah Waesch, Kerryanne Brown; Izzy Ryan (Melissa O’Kane, 70’), Noelle Murray (Alexis Strickland, 58’), Madie Gibson; Dana Scheriff (Hazel Donegan, 58’)

Referee: Mark Moynihan