SETANTA CUP Group One/Portadown 0 Drogheda United 0: Only Drogheda United will know how they failed to win at Shamrock Park last night.

The National League side squandered a succession of opportunities - especially in the first half - and Glen Fitzpatrick must be wondering how he failed to bag a hat-trick in that first period when they were the dominant side.

It means that Cork City are three points ahead in the table, and next week's return encounter in Drogheda will be vital.

Drogheda had a couple of chances in the first 10 minutes. First, James Keddy failed to connect with a Fitzpatrick cross from the left, and then Fitzpatrick connected perfectly with a Paul Keegan free-kick. However, goalkeeper Paul Murphy pulled off a spectacular save.

Portadown boss Ronnie McFall - in charge of his 1,001st match with his hometown team - left out ace striker Gary Hamilton, and the Louth side again came close on 20 minutes when Fitzpatrick, hit the side netting after collecting a Shane Barrett pass.

Fitzpatrick again failed to find the net on 28 minutes when a Keddy pass found the striker unmarked 10 yards out, but he was slow to react and John Convery blocked his effort.

It took a full 30 minutes before Portadown got a worthwhile shot on goal. It came from Richard Clarke, who picked up a loose ball 25 yards out, but goalkeeper Dan Connor grabbed it.

Murphy kept the home side in it on 41 minutes when he beat out a 15-yard bending shot from Barrett, and then Keddy headed over a Barrett cross.

Drogheda missed the boat again seconds into the second half when Barrett sent Fitzpatrick clear, but John Convery timed his tackle perfectly to keep the scoreline blank.

Then Portadown almost stole a lead against the run of play on 57 minutes when Convery latched on to a Kyle Neill free-kick, but Connor raced out to make a superb blocking save from point-blank range. Mark Leech missed a sitter for Drogheda United with four minutes left on the clock, and Richard Clarke almost stole in at the death for Portadown.

PORTADOWN: Murphy, Clarke, Convery, Kelly, Boyle, Collins, Liggett, McCann, Neill, Marks, Craig.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor, Lynch, Gray, Gavin, Gartland, Robinson, Fitzpatrick, Keddy, Shelley, Keegan, Barrett.

Referee: D Best (Carnmoney).