Justice delivered as Daniel De Lacerda earns Finn Harps a draw with Wexford

Budding lawyer Daniel De Lacerda cracked the case as Finn Harps earned a share of the spoils with Wexford Youths on Friday night.

Trailing to Jake Doyle’s early opener, Harps grew into the game after a ropey start and spurned a series of chances before De Lacerda drew them level in the 64th minute at Finn Park.

Skipper Tony McNamee delivered a deep assist from the left flank and De Lacerda - who holds a degree in criminology from his time at the Cleveland State University - nodded in at the back post.

The Portuguese was one of McHugh’s winter signings, arriving in Ballybofey after a spell at Al Ittifaq in Dubai last year and the 26-year-old got off the mark in Harps colours.

Twice in the space of five minutes in the opening stages of the second half, Conor Tourish was denied by the frame of the Town End goal.

First, the Letterkenny man connected with Gavin McAteer’s whipped free kick, but headed off the post. Moments later, Tourish had another go, this time seeing the ball take a deflection before careering off the crossbar. 

Harps were on top now and ought to have had a man advantage, but referee Ryan Maher opted to only book Max Murphy for a challenge on Idir Zerrouk that would have been more at home on a tatami.

Wexford, under the management of former Irish international Stephen Elliott  had a couple of early efforts before taking the lead. Mikie Rowe tried his luck two minutes in, but saw his shot deflected out for a corner while Corey Sheridan, the home goalkeeper, saved routinely from Jake Doyle.

However, they wouldn’t be denied in the ninth minute and it’s a goal that will have had McHugh and his video analysts tearing hair from the scalps.

Even before the ball reached Liam Doyle on the right-hand side, it had been transferred with little pressure applied. Liam Doyle was allowed too much time by left-back Alex Fanle, allowing the winger to fire a dangerous cross towards the rear. 

There, Jake Doyle rose to head home with an ease that will have been much to the frustration of the Harps management.

Just four minutes after the opener, Wexford fired another stinging shot across the Harps’ brows. Teed up by Jake Doyle, Rowe was just off target with his attempt.

On the half-hour, Rowe spun outside the area and unleashed a stunning first-time strike that seemed destined for the Town End net. But for Corey Sheridan, superbly reaching back to tip over the crossbar with the very tips of his fingers, Wexford would’ve been two up.

Dean Larkin - who scored a hat-trick of headers here last season in a 3-1 win - headed wide from the corner while Liam Doyle blasted wide from a decent position with Wexford holding the upper hand.

Out of nowhere, though, Zerrouk sparked Harps to life, forcing Paul Martin, the visiting netminder, into a brilliant save of his own. Martin beat away a thumping strike by the Canadian.

Harps showed two changes from last week’s 1-1 draw in Cobh with McNamee and De Lacerda coming in for Joel Bradley-Walsh and Bernardo Monteiro.

Harps could - and should - have been level by the break. However, after being teed up by Shaunie Bradley in the 42nd minute, Zerrouk was denied by Evan Osam on the goal-line.

Harps got their reward after the hour when De Lacerda pounced - and he might have won it in the 83rd minute but powered over with a header from McNamee’s corner. 

Wexford nearly stole it in the dying seconds, but Jake Doyle just couldn’t get his bearings right.

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Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Daniel De Lacerda, Conor Tourish, Alex Fanle; Perrault Tokam (Temiloluwa Ajibola 86), Max Hutchison (Aaron McLaughlin 40); Gavin McAteer, Tony McNamee, Idir Zerrouk (Nathan Lumingo78); Shaunie Bradley (Odhran McHugh 86).

Wexford: Paul Martin; Max Murphy, Adam Verdon, Dean Larkin, Evan Osam; Liam Doyle (Ryan Ritchie 61), Dylan Hand, Zayd Abada, Jamie Wynne (Gavin Hodgins 72); Jake Doyle, Mikie Rowe.

Referee: Ryan Maher.