Drogheda United ... 0 Bohemians ... 2 A gutsy performance by struggling Drogheda United was insufficient to prevent league leaders Bohemians grab a two-goal victory at O2 Park yesterday.

Drogheda created more chances but their failings in front of goal proved costly.

It was scoreless at half-time but United should have gone in at least a goal to the good. Bohemians then scored against the run of play with 66 minutes gone. Drogheda hit the post, had a penalty claim turned down before Bohemians sealed the win with an injury-time goal.

With eleven minutes gone Andy Myler saw his shot cleared from the Bohemians line by Derek Coughlan. Seven minutes later a second goal line clearance this time by Simon Webb denied Myler once more. On the half hour mark Declan O'Brien shot narrowly wide when one on one with the keeper.

The visitors' one and only real opportunity of the first half arrived in additional time when Bobby Ryan tested the previously idle Gary Rogers in the home goal.

Drogheda should have gone one up on the hour mark when Declan O'Brien was denied by the legs of net minder Ashley Bayes. Then totally against the run of play the visitors went ahead. Colin Hawkins nodded down a Bobby Ryan left wing cross for Steven Caffrey to stab the ball home through a crowded goalmouth.

United's misfortune continued when O'Brien's curling drive came back off the Bohemians post with 78 minutes gone. A minute later the home side had a justifiable penalty claim waived away by a hesistant referee Hugh Byrne when O'Brien was pulled back in the box by defender Coughlan.

With 10 minutes remaining Drogheda knew it just wasn't to be their day when O'Brien fired wide from eight yards when it looked easier to score. Bohemians completed their smash and grab raid when in additional time Derek Coughlan headed a Damien Lynch corner to the net.

DROGHEDA UTD: Rogers, O'Connor, Gray, Lynch, Todd, Kelly (Cronin 70), Tierney (Dunne 83), Taylor, O'Brien, Myler, Dempsey (Quinless 79).

BOHEMIANS: Bayes, O'Connor, Webb, Hunt, Hawkins, Coughlan, Ryan (Lynch 89), Caffrey, Keegan (McNally 90), Crowe, Rutherford.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)