Cork City 3 Drogheda United 2
Cork City extended the league title race for at least another series of matches as they twice came from behind to beat Drogheda United at Turner's Cross before an estimated 5,000 spectators last night.
Both teams finished a man short and the sense of suspense was maintained until the very last minute when Drogheda's Alan Reilly hit the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box.
With just three minutes gone, Cork were reduced to 10 men and also fell a goal behind. Declan O'Brien was tripped by Alan Bennett just outside the penalty area, and the referee was left with no alternative but to send the Cork defender, as the last man, off.
Drogheda's Andy Myler chipped the free from 22 yards over the wall of defenders and into the net.
Cork responded when captain Danny Murray rose at the far post to head a right-wing free from George O'Callaghan into the Drogheda net in the 12th minute.
Drogheda regained the lead in the 21st minute when O'Brien lobbed the ball into the net from 30 yards. Three minutes later, O'Brien was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with O'Callaghan.
Cork drew level again 10 minutes before the interval when John O'Flynn drove the ball past goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd.
And the home side finally went in front in the 49th minute, O'Callaghan pulling the ball across the penalty area for Liam Kearney to drive home from 12 yards.
Cork City:Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, O'Halloran; Woods, Gamble, O'Callaghan, Kearney; Doyle, O'Flynn.
Drogheda United:O'Dowd; Lester, O'Connor, Gray; Sullivan (Whelan 67), Freeman (Bird 67), Lynch (Molloy 54), Reilly, Sandvliet; Myler, O'Brien.
Referee:D. McKeon (Dublin).