Drogheda Utd 0 Shamrock Rovers 2:Ten-man Drogheda suffered a serious setback to their Premier Division title hopes when Tadhg Purcell's brace handed Shamrock Rovers an unexpected victory at United Park last night.

Drogheda made the brighter start and Shane Robinson forced an early save from Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy following a superb cross by Simon Webb.

However, Pat Scully's team quickly forced their hosts onto the back foot and the Rovers boss was fuming when referee Ian Stokes didn't award a penalty for what he felt was a deliberate hand ball by Graham Gartland.

However, Rovers stunned their hosts in the 38th minute when Ger Rowe's cross was slotted home at the near post by Purcell.

Drogheda pressed after the break and Stephen Bradley saw his 25-yard free kick brilliantly tipped onto the post by Murphy.

Robinson's subsequent corner was headed over by Gartland, but in the 56th minute the Drogheda centre half lashed out at Purcell off the ball and was red carded by Stokes.

Crucially, Rovers quickly made their extra man count when Rowe and Purcell combined in almost identical fashion to the earlier strike to leave the home side trailing 2-0.

Stunned into action, Drogheda forced the Hoops onto the back foot for long spells in the closing half hour, but Drogheda found Murphy in inspired form between the posts.

The keeper saved at point-blank range from Zayed and then produced another outstanding stop to deny the big striker.

But it was too little too late from Drogheda as Rovers claimed the points comfortably in the end.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Vilmunen, Lynch, Shelley, Gartland, Webb, Robinson, Byrne, Bradley (Keegan, 59), Cahill (Keddy, 84), Zayed, Fitzpatrick. Subs not used: Sabatini.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy, G O'Brien, Ferguson, Price, Pender, Cassidy, Danny O'Connor, Ryan, Dave O'Connor (Barrett, 90), Rowe (Myler, 84), Purcell. Subs not used: S O'Brien.

Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)