The resplendent new East Stand cranked up the atmosphere in Tallaght Stadium tonight and for 45 minutes it looked like the Hoops would mark its opening with a win but the visitors had other ideas and their second-half display deserved a share of the points.

Rovers started well with Sives attacking Sullivan’s deep cross to no avail after 5 minutes. A great cross by O’Connor saw Kelly heading clear for a corner and O’Connor drove the kick across Chris Bennion’s goal.

McGowan got past O’Connor on 19 minutes but his dangerous cross was cleared and a minute later a mistake by Maguire let Williams in on goal but debutant ‘keeper Mannus saved comfortably.

The Hoops took the lead on 24 minutes when good work by Twigg set up Baker and his low ball into the area was inadvertently knocked to Rice by a Dundalk defender and he coolly slotted the ball past Bennion.

Rice and Baker combined for Sullivan to cross and the ball fell to Kavanagh but his shot went over the bar. Just after the half-hour Baker released Twigg down the left and the Scotsman lobbed the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to make it 2-0.

The visitors got back into the game and a fine Maguire defensive header was followed in the 42^nd minute by a fine save from Mannus as he kept out a fierce low drive from Mansaram.

Rovers finished the half with Twigg crossing low for Kavanagh to steer the ball just wide.

Rovers never really got going in the second half and Purcell replaced the injured Kavanagh on 54 minutes. On 58 minutes a Cahill cross was headed back to Baker by Sives but his volley went well over the bar.

The Louth men were enjoying a lot of possession now and they got back into the game when the impressive McGowan sent in a cross to the back post for Williams to connect with and send the ball past Mannus.

Rovers were finding it difficult to get into the game and Dundalk were pushing hard for an equaliser. O’Connor broke down the left on 76 minutes and found Baker in the box but his cross was defended well.

A nice move involving Twigg and sub Chisholm almost put Baker in and when Purcell found Twigg on the edge of the box on 83 minutes the League’s current top goal scorer could only fire over the bar.

Dundalk continued to pressure the Hoops defence and following a couple of corners they got their reward with three minutes remaining. McGowan’s cross to the back post was knocked across goal for Burns to score from close range.

Stephen Rice won a free-kick in added on time at the edge of the area and Sullivan’s shot got through the wall but Rice was adjudged to have fouled defender Burns as he attempted to steer the ball on goal.