ST. PATRICK'S ATHLETIC...0 DROGHEDA UNITED...2: It in somewhat indicative of the parlous state of affairs at Richmond Park that during last night's loss to Drogheda the home fans in front of the press box asked how Dublin City were getting on. Not Shamrock Rovers or Shelbourne, as you might expect, but bottom side City.

Indeed, they may continue to ask that same question after their fifth home defeat in a row left them as rudderless on-field as they are off it.

Two well-taken goals from Barry Molloy and Declan O'Brien put the Saints to the sword.

Drogheda's first goal came on 41 minutes, in between a storm of Pat's attacks. Molloy finished a wonderful through ball from John Lester.

And the visitors found themselves in the ascendancy after the break thanks to some composed build-up play and some towering defending. Declan O'Brien's pace was always likely to threaten the Pat's defence and on the hour he duly delivered, though the goal had a Pat's man at its inception.

Karim El Khebyr's withering cross-field ball was snapped up by Gary Cronin, who fed O'Brien, and he took the chance to show the hosts how to finish.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; Quigley, El Khebyr, Casey (Donnelly 66), Maguire, Foley, Osam (Jones 66), Fahey, Bird, O'Keefe, Dunne. Subs not used: Blastis, Clarke, Byrne.

Drogheda United: Rogers; Sullivan, Kelly, O'Connor, Gray, Lester, Molloy, Whelan (Quinless 10), O'Brien (Lynch, 90), Myler (Rooney, 83), Cronin. Subs not used: Freeman, O'Dowd

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Longford will be without Graham Gartland, Brian McGovern and Stephen Paisley for this evening's game against Dublin City in Flancare Park.