Champions leave it late

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION:Drogheda United 2 Bohemians 4

A DRAMATIC three-goal salvo at the end of the game maintained defending champions’ Bohemians perfect start to the season. However, their cause was assisted by a Drogheda side who, leading with five minutes remaining, imploded having two men sent off late on.

Drogheda began brightly and went close to scoring twice early on through Paul Crowley.

United’s domination continued as Bohemians goalkeeper Chris O’Connor gathered Joe Kendrick’s free, John Flood flashed his header just wide and Alan McNally’s header from another Kendrick tested the busy O’Connor.

But with their first serious threat Bohemians found the net after 32 minutes. Paul Keegan’s free from the left found Jason Byrne whose looping header flew past goalkeeper Paul Skinner.

Minutes later Bohemians almost doubled their lead when Gareth McGlynn guided his shot the wrong side of the post.

Bohemians were on top early in the third quarter. However, Drogheda drew level after 62 minutes when Alan McNally crossed for Crowley who rifled his shot to the top corner of the net.

Nine minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty after Conor Powell tumbled Glen Fitzpatrick in the area.

Bohemians protested furiously the decision of referee Neil Doyle before Kendrick showed great composure to coolly stroke the ball home.

With five minutes remaining and the champions staring defeat in the face, the game turned in their favour with the sending off of Kendrick for a second yellow card.

Jason Byrne almost immediately drove the ball home from an acute angle to equalise before Drogheda went down to nine men when John Flood saw yellow for a second time.

With 60 seconds remaining Gareth McGlynn ghosted in to head Bohemians in front and three minutes into stoppage time Paddy Madden completed the visitors’ amazing comeback.

DROGHEDA:Skinner, Kendrick, McNally, McGill, Duffy (Martin ht), Crowley, Flood, O'Connor, Harris, King, Fitzpatrick.

BOHEMIANS:O'Connor, Heary, Powell, Cronin, Rossiter (Cretaro 81), Oman, McGlynn, Keegan, Quigley (Murphy 65), Byrne, Brennan (Madden 41).

Referee:N. Doyle (Dublin)