Waterford United 2 Drogheda United 3: Ten-man Waterford United battled back from two goals down against high-flying Drogheda United at the RSC last night but the visitors were clinical in front of goal and James Keddy scored the winner on 87 minutes.
Drogheda opened the scoring on 19 minutes. Shane Robinson started the move with a searching ball down the right wing that was touched on by Declan O'Brien to Shane Barrett, who directed his header from 18 yards over goalkeeper Ben Spicer, who was off his line.
The visitors increased their lead three minutes before half-time when O'Brien got under a long-range free from Paul Keegan and his back-header from 15 yards went in off the underside of the bar.
The Blues pulled a goal back on 58 minutes when Keddy turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear under pressure from Ger McCarthy following a long, high ball from midfield by Steven Grant.
Eight minutes later, Waterford were reduced to 10 men when James Chambers was sent off after receiving a second yellow card (51 and 65 minutes) from referee Declan Hanney.
The Blues rocked the visitors with a stunning equaliser on 72 minutes. Alan Cawley fired over a corner from the right and Kenny Browne drilled the ball low and hard through the crowded goalmouth into the net.
Two minutes later, Drogheda went within a whisker of regaining the lead but Spicer did well to block down a close-range shot from sub Eamon Zayed.
The winning goal came when Robinson ran 30 yards to the end-line and crossed for Keddy, who side-footed the ball past the goalkeeper from point-blank range.
WATERFORD UNITED: Spicer; Hayes, Hedderman, Keely, Browne, Reynolds, Grant (Fraher, 63 mins), Chambers, G McCarthy, Cawley, P McCarthy (Brosnan, 52 mins).
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch (Whelan, 85 mins), Webb (Bradley, 80 mins), Gavin, Gartland, Robinson, O'Brien, Keddy, Shelly, Keegan, Barrett (Zayed, 66 mins).
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).
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