Ulidia were 1-0 down after five minutes when Shorts scored a free header from their first free-kick.
Ulidia don’t defend well from set pieces and this would cost them dearly later in the game.
Ulidia got back into the match after 15 minutes.
McGoran, who can launch the ball from a throw-in, took a throw from the right. McConnell flicked it on for ‘Quietman’ Doyle to score from six yards.
McCafferty had a couple of good chances to put Ulidia in the lead.
Ulidia were awarded a penalty just before half-time when a Shorts player handled on the line.
O’Halloran, the only Ulidia player to score this or last season from the spot, took the kick but side footed it wide.
Shorts also had a few chances and were very dangerous on the break with Ulidia keeper Holden called into action on several occasions.
The second half was very similar to the first.
Again Shorts took the lead from a set piece, this time a corner and again a free header.
Shorts could have made it 3-1 only for a great goal line clearance from stand-in captain McReynolds.
If that had gone in Ulidia would have struggled to get back into the game.
Ulidia did have several good chances in the second half with McCafferty, Maynes and Hinds going close.
The best chance fell to McConnell when he volleyed over from a good McFlynn cross.
With only three minutes left McCafferty delivered a great ball right onto ‘Quietman’ Doyle’s head, and he made no mistake. Ulidia should have won this match but on reflection the management were happy enough with a draw.
Doyle was man of the match with two goals while Hinds also had a great game.
Holden did nothing wrong as usual. No one played badly but the squad is stretched and players are looking tired.
The lads have passed the 23 points they won last season and will be looking to finish this season with 30 or 40 points which is another great improvement for the second season in a row.
Ulidia: Holden, Hinds, McFlynn, Doyle, McReynolds, O’Halloran, Maynes, McGoran, McConnell, McVeigh, McCafferty. Sub: O’Neill.
