Drogheda Utd 2 Derry City 1DROGHEDA CAME from a goal down to record a deserved win over a Derry side that played their part in an entertaining encounter.

In a remarkable start, virtually directly from the kick-off Derry won a penalty after 10 seconds when Alan McNally tumbled David McDaid in the box and referee Alan Kelly pointed straight to the spot. McDaid picked himself off the deck to plant the ball in the bottom corner.

A second penalty on 24 minutes saw Drogheda level matters after Shane McEleney clipped Ryan Brennan and Declan O’Brien converted the kick.

In a frantic closing five minutes of the half Brolly’s stinging drive saw Gabriel Sava get down very well to make the stop. However it would be Drogheda who would complete the turnaround with 41 minutes gone as they hit the front.

Gavin Brennan skinned Simon Madden and whipped in a cross from the left which came off Shane McEleney and flew only just wide. Eric Foley sent over the corner and Alan McNally rose highest to head in off the post.

In an exhilarating four-minute spell in the second half Drogheda could have made the win safe when they should have scored on three occasions.

Barry Molloy rescued City when he got back to clear Hynes’ shot off the line. Hynes’ header then came back off the bar and Brian Gannon’s follow up was blocked by a defender before Paul Crowley’s shot was charged down as it careered goal wards.

With 10 minutes to go sub Mark Farren went close with a shot that beat Sava but sailed over.

DROGHEDA: Sava, Hand, Prendergast, McNally, R Brennan, G Brennan, Hynes, Crowley, Gannon, O'Brien (Mulvenna, 88 mins), Foley (Sullivan, 72 mins).

DERRY: Doherty, McCaffrey, Molloy, S McEleney, Higgins (Duffy, 31 mins), McDaid, P McEleney (Curran, 88 mins), Madden, Brolly (Farren, 71 mins), McNamee, Bonner.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).