Shamrock Rovers - 3 Drogheda Utd - 2 Tony Grant proved the catalyst as he scored an equaliser and then made a late winner for namesake Stephen as Shamrock Rovers earned a first win in nine outings.

Trailing 2-1 going into the last 10 minutes, Tony Grant headed home a Stephen Grant free-kick to level.

He then turned provider for the winner five minutes from time as he charged in from the right to cross for Stephen Grant who turned to smash the ball past Gary Rogers.

Having been gifted the lead from a mistake by Gary Rogers, Rovers' Steven Gough shot wide from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Aidan Lynch on James Keddy. Andy Myler showed him how it should be done to score from the spot to equalise on 63 minutes after Stephen Grant had handled Darren Beesley's ball into the Rovers' area.

John Flanagan then put Drogheda in front with a superb goal on 78 minutes. Punishing a slip by Keith Doyle, Flanagan cut inside and curled a left-foot shot past Barry Ryan from 20 yards.

With confidence scarcely high following their heaviest defeat of the season at Cork City last week, the concession of a soft, early goal was the last thing Drogheda wanted, but that's precisely what they got after just seven minutes.

Pat Scully was booked after he fouled Tony Grant. The real punishment then arrived from the 25-yard free kick. Rogers looked set to claim Trevor Molloy's very average strike but, horrifyingly for the Drogheda goalkeeper, the ball squirmed through his legs for an embarrassing goal gratefully accepted by Rovers.

The Rovers defence continued to endure some nervous moments but held on to secure the points.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Ryan; Gough, Palmer, Deans, Doyle; Robinson (Tracey, 88 mins), Reynolds, Keddy, S Grant; Molloy (Fitzpatrick, 85 mins), A Grant.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Flanagan (Gallagher, 88 mins), Scully, Lynch, Gray; Quinless, Beesley, Tierney, Kelly (Cronin, 88 mins); O'Brien (Quinn, 90 mins), Myler.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).