Cobh Ramblers left it late to secure their passage to the next round of the promotion playoffs against Waterford next week as James O’Leary finished to an empty net to rescue the draw on the night for the Rams as they win the tie 2-1 on aggregate against an impressive Wexford FC side.

Just after the half hour mark Wexford forced a number of throws and O’Malley produced a few long efforts which caused consternation as the ball found it’s way to James Crawford on the edge of the box and his left foot effort found the back of the net despite Steacy getting a hand to the ball.

Moments later Thomas Oluwa had a glorious opportunity to double the lead on the day as they pressed home their purple patch. The forward burst into the Cobh box but Steacy did enough to force him to shoot early and it went harmlessly wide in the end. It would indicate a growing Wexford presence in the game though as Cobh struggled to stay with the visitors.

Cobh struggled to get back to the pace of the game for the remainder of the first half and it looked as it if was only a matter of time before the visitors might press home their advantage. 

James O’Leary was in the right place at the right time for the home side with a quarter of an hour left. A fabulous cross from Jack Doherty wasn’t dealt with by the visiting defenders and O’Leary was first to react to stroke it home to set up a grandstand finish.

As the clock ran out, Ethan Boyle found himself unmarked in the Cobh box but couldn’t connect with a deep cross as the ball flashed just wide of the post as time was running out for James Keddy’s side.

Both sides rang the changes through the last few minutes as Cobh continued to press for a third and Dale Holland nearly put the cherry on top of the performance but his last minute one on one opportunity just couldn’t find the net. It wasn’t required however ahead of a Munster derby against Waterford next week.