SOCCER: Drogheda Utd 3, UCD 1:DROGHEDA'S forward momentum continued with this hard fought win over fellow strugglers UCD.

The Boynesiders were full value for their first league victory at home in a year after they played out the final 13 minutes with 10 men.

UCD began impressively and were denied early on when goalkeeper Stephen Trimble did really well to push Paul O’Connor’s shot over.

Drogheda gradually shook off the cobwebs and created their first chance after Tiarnan Mulvenna set up Philip Hand, who sent a thunderbolt towards the target which Gerard Barron saved.

With four minutes to go to the break United grabbed the lead following a good move down the right that saw Colin O’Brien send in the cross which Mulvenna drove to the net.

UCD levelled on 57 minutes following a corner from the left which Belhout headed back across goal for Graham Rusk, who guided his close range header home.

The visitors’ joy was short-lived, however, as the home side restored their advantage within a couple of minutes when Dinny Corcoran sent a fine ball through the heart of the defence for Mulvenna, who raced through to finish superbly.

Drogheda were reduced to 10 men 13 minutes from time after Mark O’Brien was yellow-carded for a second time in the space of seven minutes.

Drogheda struck for a third time deep into stoppage time when Colin O’Brien cut in from the right to score.

DROGHEDA: Trimble, C O'Brien, Hand, McNally, Ekanem, Gannon, O'Brien, Quigley (McCrossan, 85), Corcoran, Mulvenna (Nolan, 80), Freeman.

UCD:Barron, Harding, Nangle, D O'Connor, Leahy, Corry, Marshall, P O'Connor, Rusk, Benson, Meenan (Belhout, half-time).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).