SHELS RUE NORRIS RED

James' sending off gives Drita a leg up

- BY MARK MCCADDEN

SHELBOURNE'S search for a Europa Conference League goal goes on - but their prospects of progression beyond the league phase look to be over.

Another narrow defeat, another sickener of a goal to concede, and once again they end the game with 10 men.

Unlike two weeks ago in Skopje, when Sean Boyd went off injured after all five subs had been used, there was no hard luck story to this one.

On-loan Liverpool defender James Norris saw red after a VAR review for a poor challenge that was the result of him losing control of the ball.

It was more reckless than malicious a poor touch and then drag his studs down Alamir Ajzeraj’s leg in an attempt to regain the ball.

Referee Oliver Reitala initially awarded just a free kick but was sent to his monitor by VAR and returned to the pitch with his red card in his hand.