Drogheda United 0 St Patrick's Athletic 2Two goals in the opening half hour were enough to see St Patrick's Athletic edge out a more fancied Drogheda side in an entertaining game at United Park last night. United had their chances but they failed miserably in front of goal.

St Patrick's took the lead with 10 minutes played when Brian Kelly's header from defence dropped to Keith Fahy, who returned the ball directly to the Drogheda net over goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

John Lester, from 20 yards, and Andy Myler, with a free from the edge of the box, went close to equalising for Drogheda.

The visitors made it two just before the half hour when Aidan O'Keeffe raced to the Drogheda goal from inside his own half to tuck the ball under Rogers into the net.

St Patrick's should have been three up on 38 minutes when Keith Dunne knocked the ball down to Mark Casey, who, from 10 yards out, lifted the ball over the bar.

With the first half in added time Declan O'Brien missed a great opportunity to get a goal back for the home side when he blasted wide from close range.

Drogheda came out in the second half fired up as they pushed to get back into the game. With seven minutes gone O'Brien missed a second golden opportunity to score when he scooped the ball over the bar from close range. John Lester's strike then came crashing off the St Patrick's bar and Gary Cronin pulled the rebound wide.

Drogheda pushed relentlessly as Trevor Molloy, John Flanagan and Lester all went close.

With 20 minutes remaining Philip Sheppard should have made it three for St Patrick's when he shot over from 12 yards.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Flanagan, Kelly, Lynch (Sandvliet, 63 mins), O'Connor, Lester, Whelan, Molloy, O'Brien, Myler (Rooney, 52 mins), Cronin (Freeman, 78 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; Quigley, Byrne (Sheppard, 58 mins), El Khebyr, Casey, Foley, Bell, Fahy, Smith, O'Keeffe, Dunne.

Referee: Jim O'Neill (Waterford).