Drogheda left short for a finish

Drogheda United 2 Bohemians 2: For the second time in the space of a week, Drogheda finished with 10 men. Unlike at Cork seven days ago, however, they were unable to hold onto their lead and were lucky to share the spoils with Bohemians.

The home side raced into a two-goal lead but then lost their way entirely as Bohemians looked the more likely side to secure the win.

The visitors drew level 13 minutes from time, as they pulverised the United defence but they failed to find a winner.

Drogheda took the lead after 16 minutes when Shane Robinson swung in a corner from the right for Gavin Whelan to power a header to the net.

The home side made it two just seven minutes later with one of the cheekiest goals seen at United Park for some time.

When Declan O'Brien was fouled 22 yards from goal on the right, Shane Robinson stepped up to take the free and noticed a gap on the right of the visitors' wall before steering the ball around it and to the net.

Bohemians became more involved as the game progressed and pulled a goal back with half an hour gone. Stephen Ward played the ball through the centre of the home defence for Tony Grant to race clear and score.

Right on half-time the visitors should have levelled when Grant got onto the end of a Stephen Rice cross but his finish flew just past the post.

Drogheda failed to lift their game again in the second half and, after Sami Ristila was sent off for a second yellow card, United were under the cosh for the remainder of the match.

Bohemians attacked time after time and were unfortunate not to level with 73 minutes gone when Tony Grant rapped the ball off the post.

Four minutes later the visitors were level, when Grant turned provider for Fergal Harkin who turned the ball in from close range. Grant could have won the game for the Dublin side with eight minutes left but Stuart Malcolm blocked his goal-bound shot.

DROGHEDA: Connor, Lynch, Webb, Gray, Malcolm, Whelan, Robinson, Ristila, O'Brien, Rooney, Sandvliet. Subs: Freeman for O'Brien (65 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Gregg, Rice, Byrne, Hunt, Oman, Harkin, Farrelly, Foley, T Grant, Ward, Aggrey. Subs: Keddy for Rice (90 mins).

Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin).