Drogheda worn down

Bohemians - 3 Drogheda Utd - 1:NATIONAL LEAGUE/Premier Division: Bohemians manager Stephen Kenny said in the pre-match build-up that Drogheda United were going to be a tough nut to crack and had not been given enough credit for their early season efforts.

And that was how it turned out at Dalymount Park last night as Bohemians maintained their unbeaten start to the season and also extended their lead at the top of the table with a deserved, but hard-fought, 3-1 victory over Harry McHugh's side.

Already leading through Gary O'Neill's fifth-minute opener, they were pegged back after 15 minutes when Stuart Taylor levelled.

They had to wait until the 64th minute to regain their lead when Stephen Caffrey fed Bobby Ryan, who drilled his shot low under Gary Rogers, while Colin Hawkins added the third in the 84th minute, heading home a Ryan corner.

Bohemians couldn't have asked for a better start and were off to a flyer with the lead goal after just five minutes.

However, there was a hint of controversy to it as there seemed to be a clear case for off-side.

But O'Neill wasn't waiting for the flag, racing clear on to Ryan's through ball before calmly guiding his well-placed shot past Rogers.

Despite the early blow of falling behind, Drogheda rallied to draw level on the quarter-hour mark.

A superb cross from the left wing by Brian Kelly was met by Taylor, whose powerful header gave Ashley Bayes no chance at all.

On 25 minutes, the visitors squandered a fine chance to move ahead when Gary Cronin, with plenty of space to find the target, sliced wide of the target.

Bohemians were equally dangerous and Simon Webb was most unlucky with a 26th-minute free-kick, while Derek Couglan twice failed to find the target with headers.

BOHEMIANS: Bayes, Lynch, Hunt, Coughlan, McNally, Ryan, Caffrey, Keegan, O'Neill, Rutherford. Subs: Hawkins for McNally (39); Harkin for Ryan (85); Doyle for Keegan (90).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers, O'Connor, Kelly, Lynch, Todd, Smith, Taylor, Quinless, O'Brien, Myler, Cronin. Subs: Delaney for Myler (65); Tierney for Smith (76).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).