Baker punishes a poor Drogheda

Drogheda Utd - 0 Longford Town - 1 Longford Town were full value for their victory over a very poor Drogheda side at United Park last night. The visitors, however, had to rely on good fortune for their winner when Drogheda goalkeeper Gary Rogers threw the ball straight to Sean Francis, who in turn fed Dessie Baker, who had the easiest of tasks in slotting the ball past Rogers.

Longford were the better side in the opening quarter, with their best chance falling to John Martin, whose strike was blocked by defender Brian Kelly.

With a quarter of an hour gone Drogheda should have scored against the run of play when Andy Myler put Dave Freeman through on goal. But he fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Longford took the lead on 25 minutes with that Baker goal, and could have made it two minutes later when an Alan Kirby strike rebounded off the top of the Drogheda bar.

United went close to equalising in the final minutes when Danny O'Connor's header flew inches wide, and goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien dived bravely at the feet of Myler right on the whistle.

Drogheda came out with all guns blazing in the early stages of the second half as Mark Quinless was denied by O'Brien and Dave Freeman pulled his strike across the face of goal.

As the second half progressed Drogheda's effort petered out and Longford really should have extended their lead. Vinnie Perth saw his superb strike tipped away brilliantly by Rogers, and Francis had an effort on 60 minutes again pushed to safety.

The closing minutes saw Drogheda create a half chance for an equaliser when Declan O'Brien found Mark Rooney, who totally miskicked from 15 yards.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Sullivan, Kelly, O'Connor, Gray, Lester, Whelan, Quinless (O'Brien, 78 mins), Freeman, Myler (Rooney, 60 mins), Lacey (Flanagan h-t).

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, Dillon, McGovern (Perth, 52 mins), Ferguson, Baker (Barrett, 87 mins), Kirby, Prunty, Martin (Keegan, 70 mins), Francis, Byrne.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).