Kilkenny advanced to the third round of the FAI Cup after beating Dundalk in a penalty shoot-out after extra-time at Oriel Park last night.

Kilkenny looked like going out of the competition but scrambled a late equaliser in injury time and then went on to win the penalty shoot-out.

Dundalk had the better of the first half and should have been in front when Tony Izzi set up David Ward, who struck the foot of an upright. Just before halftime, Jonathan Prizeman had a good chance for Kilkenny, but shot over.

Into the second half, Kilkenny began to take control but against the run of play John Sharkey put Dundalk in front in the 71st minute.

Dundalk should have made the game safe but missed at least two good scoring chances.

Kilkenny, however, put in a grandstand finish which saw defender David Breen force the ball over the line for the equaliser from an Aiden Forde corner in the 91st minute.

Extra-time produced no further scores and in the penalty shootout David Crawley and Brian Morrisroe both converted, but Paul Campbell and Derek Delaney both shot over for Dundalk.

Michael Kerley and substitute, Rory Ginty, both converted for Kilkenny, with Prizeman missing. The outcome was decided when David Walsh, the hero of the Kilkenny side, scored and David Ward crashed the final kick against the post.

Dundalk: Murphy, Flanagan, Crawley, Hoey,Whelan, Melvin , Sharkey, Campbell, Ward, Izzi, Morrisroe. Subs: Honan and Delaney for Flanagan and Izzi (105 mins), Martin for Sharkey (110 mins).

Kilkenny: R Forde, Walsh, Carolan, Kerley, Breen, Flood, Mearns, A Forde, Mulcahy, Prizeman, Scully. Subs: Ginty for Mulcahy (halftime), Flynn for Mearns (107 mins).

Referee: P Barr (Dublin).