Derry City boss Stephen Kenny believes that any decision to grant Shelbourne a replay of their controversial meeting with Bohemians in August would represented the "biggest scandal in Irish football in years".

Shels chief executive Ollie Byrne is adamant that his side should be awarded three points arising from the August 18th clash.

They lost the game on a 2-1 scoreline, but it later transpired that Bohemians had fielded Jason McGuinness when he should have been suspended.

Bohs were docked three points as a result, but confusion over the league's rule-book means the matter remains unresolved - and Shels could yet be either awarded three points or granted a replay of the game.

Either decision would effectively hand Shels the initiative in the race for the eircom League crown, which rests on a knife-edge with just three weeks of the campaign left.

Kenny said: "My view is that if Shelbourne were granted a replay then it would be the biggest scandal in Irish football in years.

"It would even be a scandal in European terms if a team loses and then got a replay or three points.

"Common sense should prevail. The league should be won on the pitch and it is up to the best team now to win it. We've five games left, Shels have four. Both teams can win it on the field."