Bohemians kept up the pressure on Premier Division leaders Shelbourne with a thoroughly convincing defeat of last-placed Drogheda United at United Park last night.

From the kick-off the visitors took control, and Ray Kelly fired home the opening goal after only 93 seconds from a cross by Pascal Vaudequin. There was a hint of a deflection off Drogheda defender Colm Foley.

There was no doubt about the scorer of the second, as Gareth O'Connor took full advantage of a mistake by Ray Wallace to fire to the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Midway through the half Gareth Byrne denied Derek Swan a third, finter-tipping his header around the post.

The home side only managed to trouble Bohemians goalkeeper Michael Dempsey twice in that first half; but he was equal to Darren O'Keeffe's efforts on both occasions.

The third Bohemians goal arrived within 36 seconds of the restart with Kelly supplying the pass for Swan to volley home from 12 yards. Drogheda's best chance arrived midway through the half when Christian Roberts beat Dempsey with a near-post shot only to see Eoin Mullen clear off the line.

Drogheda United: G Byrne, A Murphy, Boyle, Foley, Maher, O'Keeffe, Wallace, Roberts, Thomas, O'Dowd, C Murphy. Subs: Cronin for Wallace; M Byrne for C Murphy; McCann for Thomas.

Bohemians: Dempsey, Vaudequin, Mullen, Hunt, Maher, John, Byrne, Caffrey, Swan, Kelly, O'Connor. Subs: Crowe for Kelly; Williamson for Vaudequin.