Byrne blunder proves costly

Drogheda's nightmare season continued at United Park last night when a freak goal 14 minutes from the end deprived them of what would have been a deserved share of the spoils.

Goalkeeper Gareth Byrne will have to take full blame for the error which cost his side the game and deprived them of the chance of moving off the bottom for the first time this season.

The former St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper was under no pressure as he stood to collect a speculative ball into the box from 30 yards by Tony Sheridan.

However, his concentration lapsed and he let the ball slip through his fingers and into the net as Sheridan turned away to celebrate.

It was harsh on the home side who had the best goalscoring chances in a scrappy game.

Manager, Martin Lawlor made several changes to the side which lost to St Patrick's Athletic last week with John Carroll returning to the heart of the defence in place of John Reid who was accommodated in attack. At midfield Martin Beggs was recalled in place of Andy Rammage, while Michael Harte was also included.

The changes seemed to work for the home side as they took the game to the visitors from the start.

After 10 minutes a ball from Greg O'Dowd was carried by the strong breeze and had Shelbourne's Alan Gough in a bit of bother. Nine minutes later Harte was put in from the left and let fly from 25 yards, but his shot lacked accuracy. The home side's best chance came just before the break. Following a corner the ball found its way to John Reid whose goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Pat Fenlon while Harte was denied on the follow-up by Gough.

Lawlor made one switch at the interval bringing on Noel Reid in place of Joe Gallen and he was involved almost immediately when sent clear by namesake John only for Tony McCarthy to scramble back and make a vital tackle. O'Dowd and Rod De Khors also tried their luck on the Shelbourne goal, but to no avail. McCarthy had Shelbourne's first worthwhile effort on the hour with a 30-yard shot which was turned around the post by Byrne for a corner.