Sport

Drogheda come good

Drogheda came from behind to secure their first home win of the season, indeed their first league victory at United Park since…

Sat Apr 16 2005 - 01:00

Drogheda came from behind to secure their first home win of the season, indeed their first league victory at United Park since last August. The home side were tentative, to say the least, early on but after falling behind they took control of proceedings.

Rovers made all of the running early on and were rewarded in the eighth minute when Patrick McCourt was allowed to run unchallenged on goal from 30 yards to slot the ball past goalkeeper Dan Connor.

The home side took control as the half progressed and created a number of opportunities but failed to capitalise on a very shaky Rovers defence.

The final minutes of the half saw the Rovers goal live a charmed life as goalkeeper Russell Payne rushed from his goal and spilled the ball to Mark Rooney who drove the ball wide of the empty goal.

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United got the break they needed just six minutes into the second half when Damian Lynch was taken down in the box by Jason McGuinness. Alan Reilly drove the resulting penalty past Payne for the equaliser.

The now dominant Drogheda took the lead on the hour mark when Graham Gartland rose to head Reilly's corner to the net.

The home side failed to press home their superiority as Trevor Molloy forced goalkeeper Connor into a fingertip save on 72 minutes.

With eight minutes remaining Simon Webb's shot was turned to safety by Payne as Drogheda went close to making it three.

DROGHEDA UTD: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gray, Malcolm, Gartland, Robinson, Ristilla, O'Brien, Rooney, O'Reilly. Subs: Whelan for Robinson (half-time), Sandvliet for Rooney (90 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Payne, Wolski, Phillips, McGuinness, Gavin, McDonagh, O'Connor, O'Halloran, Mooney, Molloy, McCourt. Subs: Daniel for O'Connor (63 mins), Feeney for O'Holloran (81 mins), McGovern for Phillips (88 mins).

Drogheda came from behind to secure their first home win of the season, indeed their first league victory at United Park since last August. The home side were tentative, to say the least, early on but after falling behind they took control of proceedings.

Referee: J Feighrey (Dublin).