SETANTA CUP: Drogheda Utd 1 Cork City 1: A GAME OF two halves saw the the first dominated by Cork who were well worth their advantage of a goal at the break; but the second 45 minutes belonged to the holders, who equalised early on and had more than enough opportunities to win.

Cork's early superiority was eventually rewarded a minute from the break when Neal Horgan's pass found Darren Murphy on the right corner of the Drogheda box. Murphy turned inside Joe Kendrick before cracking an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Paul Skinner.

Sami Ristila was introduced at half-time for Iyane Thiam and the home side began the second period with real purpose and drew level after only five minutes.

Baker's corner from the right was met by Maher, who saw his header come back off the post to fellow centre half John Tambouras who belted the ball home.

With just over 10 minutes remaining and in the space of 60 seconds Drogheda spurned two chances to take the lead.

A Fahrudin Kuduzovic free from the edge of the box on the left flew straight through the Cork wall and off the chest of a surprised McNulty to substitute Eamon Zayed, who unbelievably lifted the ball over the bar.

Another sub, Shane Robinson, with only the keeper to beat, pulled his shot wide.

DROGHEDA: Skinner, Kendrick, Tambouras, Hughes, Baker (Robinson 60), Keegan, Maher, Barrett (Zayed 77), Clarke, Iyane Thiam (Ristila h/t), Kuduzovic.

CORK: McNulty, Horgan, Ryan (O'Connor 90), Murray, Gamble, Healy, Dudfield, Darren Murphy, Kelly, Kearney, Danny Murphy.

Referee: D McKeon(Dublin).