Dundalk 4 Drogheda United 2: ALEX WILLIAMS was the chief architect of Dundalk's derby victory at Oriel Park last night as the Scottish striker hit a brace to move Seán Connor's side within five points of the European places.

Drogheda will point to the dismissal of Scott Gibb as the turning point. The full-back was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 36th minute after lunging at winger Kevin McKinlay. Up to that point, Alan Mathews’s side had been very much in the contest with the score level at 1-1.

Ger Rowe had given Dundalk the lead in the 21st minute after racing onto Shaun Kelly’s pass to lash a left-footed effort past Paul Skinner. Drogheda replied seven minutes later when centre-back Conor Kenna got a deft touch on Brendan McGill’s free-kick to head the ball past the flat-footed Peter Cherrie in the Dundalk goal.

Dundalk were back in front three minutes before the break when Michael Daly picked out Williams with a delicious pass and the striker dummied Skinner to pass the ball into an empty net.

In the 57th minute Chris Turner hit his third penalty of the season against the visitors after Rowe’s goal-bound effort was handled by Kenna.

Williams put the gloss on an excellent display when he turned Kenna and Alan McNally inside out before picking his spot from 12-yards.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Burns, Heary, McGowan (McAreavey, 75mins); Daly, Turner, Collins (Mansaram, 71mins), McKinlay (Mulvenna ht); Williams, Rowe.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Skinner; Gibb, Kenna, McNally, Osbourne (Clarke, 7 mins); King, Crowley, Shiels (Duffy, 64 mins), McGill; Barrett, Bates (Chamber ht).

Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).