LEAGUE OF IRELAND:Cork City 1 Drogheda Utd 0

DENIS BEHAN’S first-half volley ensured Cork City moved up to third place last night as former Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin ensured he got one over on his old side. Conversely it meant Alan Mathews was denied the opportunity to do the same as he returned to Turner’s Cross for the first time since his controversial December sacking.

Cork made the most of the poor conditions early on as some nice interplay produced chances for Billy Dennehy, Davin O’Neill and Joe Gamble, Dennehy coming closest when striking the back post from close range. Danny Murphy’s impressive long-range strike with 10 minutes left to the break served as a warning to the visitors.

Cork made the breakthrough three minutes later. Dennehy’s run from deep released Guntars Silagailis on the left who shot off his right foot, forcing Steve Williams into an ineffectual save that gave Behan a relatively straightforward volley home to an empty net.

Just 30 seconds later, Robbie Farrell almost equalised but the home team took their slender lead to the break.

But after half-time, it was a different story as Drogheda took the game to their hosts. That said, Latvian Silagailis was the only player on either side who had a decent attempt on goal when taking advantage of a sloppy James Chambers headed backpass only to shoot over from a tight angle in the 54th minute.

Cork reaffirmed their grip on proceedings as the half wore on, Silagailis coming close again on 78 and 90 minutes but Drogheda came close to an equaliser on a couple of occasions, Ian Ryan heading at Dan Connor in the 70th minute and John Paul Kelly forcing the ex-Drogheda stopper into an 82nd minute save.

CORK CITY:Connor; Sullivan, O'Halloran, Murray, Murphy; O'Neill, Gamble, Healy, Dennehy; Behan, Silagailis.

DROGHEDA UNITED:Williams; Chambers, Ryan, Kenna, Clarke; King (Duffy, 75 mins), Crowley, Shiels, Kelly; Farrell, Barrett (Duggan, 32 mins).

Referee:P Sutton (Clare).