An ill-tempered game between Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United at the Showgrounds on Saturday night finished in high drama as Sligo clinched the points with a last-minute penalty. Despite dominating the game for long periods it looked as if Sligo would have to settle for a share of the spoils until their pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute.

Steve Jones, who had been a constant threat to the Drogheda defence all night, was up-ended by David Fairclough inside the area and Padraig Moran stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.

Tempers ran high during an uncompromising first half and there was an ugly flashpoint in the 35th minute when about a dozen players became involved in a skirmish in the centre of the field. Referee Gerry Perry sent off Sligo's Lee Thew and Drogheda's James Impey for their part in the incident. Five other players were booked during the opening half.

Sligo produced the better football early on and took a deserved lead in the 16th minute when the unfortunate John Carroll deflected a Mark Hutchison shot into his own net.

Then, against the run of play, Drogheda snatched an equaliser a minute before the interval when a fiercely struck Greg O'Dowd shot flew into the roof of the net.

There were few chances in an untidy second half before Moran's penalty sealed Sligo's win.

Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Southworth, Hutchison, Reid, Cobbesson, Hare, Jones, Moran, Thew, Hallows, Rowlands. Sub: Flannery for Hallows 75 mins.

Drogheda United: Byrne, Hill, Fairclough, Impey, Carroll, Ramage, De Khors, O'Dowd, Gallen, Irwin, Harte.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).