Drogheda U 1 UCD 0:DROGHEDA MADE it eight straight wins in all competitions as they drew to within a point of league leaders Sligo following this hard-earned victory over a UCD side who will feel they should have taken something from the encounter.

United enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as Philip Hand wasn’t far away with his shot before a Peter Hynes effort tested Mark McGinley in the visitors goal. They hit the front on 21 minutes when Michael Leahy’s clearing header from Hand’s free fell to Declan O’Brien on the edge of the box and he volleyed to the net in style.

Despite their advantage Drogheda were forced on to the back foot as UCD went in search of an equaliser. David McMillan’s piledriver was only inches wide, Paul Corry’s effort saw Gabriel Sava at full stretch tip the ball on to the bar and Daniel Ledwith’s fine free rattled the side netting.

However, before the break the home side were only inches away from doubling their advantage following a wonderful move that saw Cathal Brady, Hynes and finally Paul Crowley combine for the latter to flash his shot wide.

Half-time sub Chris Lyons went close with his first touch early on in the second half as Sava made the save and minutes later the Drogheda goalkeeper did even better to stop Robbie Benson’s fierce shot.

The students virtually owned the ball for the entire second half as Drogheda defended deeply. However, despite lording possession, they couldn’t find a way past a resolute United defence.

DROGHEDA UTD: Sava, Hand, Prendergast, McNally, Brady (Mulvenna, 68 mins), Brennan (Marks 65), Hynes (Byrne, 55 mins), Crowley, McMahon, O’Brien, Foley.

UCD: McGinley, Douglas, Ledwith, D O’Connor, Leahy, Corry, P O’Conor (McCabe, 70 mins), Benson, Nangle (Lyons half-time), Belhout, McMillan.

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin)