LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Drogheda United 2 Shamrock Rovers 2A SHARING of the spoils was about right in the end as these two sides served up a cracking 90 minutes that sent the large crowd home in good spirits but with both sets of fans pondering what might have been.
Drogheda were behind, drew level, took the lead only for Rovers to grab an equaliser five minutes from time.
United dominated the opening half and should have scored on a number of occasions but were caught with a classic sucker punch from Rovers.
In the opening stages James Chambers’ cross from the right was destined for the inrushing John Paul Kelly, only for a timely headed interception by Simon Madden to deny him a clear header on goal.
Chambers himself was then only inches away with a fine shot from the edge of the box and former favourite Shane Barrett almost made it a dream return to United colours when he turned his man 25 yards out before unleashing a cracking strike that shaved the timber.
With 18 minutes gone the woodwork came between the home side and their first goal of the season when Paul Crowley raced clear down the right wing and crossed for Kelly, who cracked his volley off the post.
Against the run of play a couple of minutes later Rovers took the lead. After a corner on the right the ball went loose on the six-yard line and Gary Twigg poked it home.
Drogheda went close to equalising on a couple of occasions. Robbie Clarke’s free was cleared out to Barrett, who forced goalkeeper Brian Murphy to make the save and Barrett’s probing ball sent Chambers into the visitors’ box but again Murphy was smartly off his line to make the stop.
Justice was done at the start of the second half when a slip by Rovers defender Madden allowed Paul Shiels race clear through the middle and his powerful drive went in off Murphy’s gloves.
As the action now swung from end to end Barrett headed narrowly over for the home side while at the other end Baker’s pull back picked out Stephen Rice who fizzed his effort wide when he really should have hit the target.
Drogheda hit the front on 73 minutes when Chambers crossed for Robbie Farrell who blasted to the net. But Rovers conjured up an equaliser when Madden’s cross found sub Pádraig Amond at the back post and he guided his header past Williams.
DROGHEDA:Williams, Ryan, Clarke, Kenna, McNally, Shiels, Kelly (King 86)), Crowley, Chambers, Farrell, Barrett (Duffy 89).
SHAMROCK ROVERS:Murphy, Madden, Bermingham, Maguire, Webb, Robinson, Rice, Twigg, Bradley, Cahill (Purcell 77), Baker (Amond 80).
Referee:D Hanney (Dublin).
