Finn Harps - 1 Drogheda Utd - 2 An own-goal from Shane Bradley was enough to separate Finn Harps and Drogheda Utd in a rip-roaring Cup tie in Ballybofey last night and see the Boynesiders safely through to the next round.
The Premier Division outfit had not won a Cup tie since the 1996-97 season, but were in front in the seventh minute, when Declan O'Brien headed home from close range.
Finn Harps were back on level terms just three minutes later, when Eloka Asokuh was up-ended by Danny O'Connor, and Kevin McHugh scored from the resulting penalty.
Drogheda were back in front in the 21st minute, when Mark Quinless fired in a shot that Finn Harps defence failed to clear, and they could only watch in horror as an attempted clearance flew off Bradley and into the back of the net. After that Finn Harps fought hard to stay in the game.
Drogheda's Gary Rogers then had to make a great a great save at the other end to deny McHugh in the 55th minute.
The best chance of an equaliser came in the 82nd minute, when McHugh rattled the post with a firm header, but despite the late flurry of attacks, Drogheda held on to advane to next round.
FINN HARPS: Young; Asokuh, Minnock, D Boyle, Bradley (Flannery 75); Mohan, Kenny, Lloyd (McGrenahan 55), R Boyle (Crossan 75); McHugh, Bonner.
DROGHEDA UTD: Rogers; O'Connor (Flanagan 68), Kelly, Lynch, Cronin; Scully, Quinless, Beesley, O'Brien; Myler, Tierney.
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
WeekendFixtures
Saturday
FAI CUP - Second round: Cherry Orchard v St Mochtas (7.00); Limerick FC v Kilkenny City (7.00); Loughshinney v Galway Utd (5.00); Moyle Park v Sligo (5.00).
Sunday
FAI CUP - Second round: Dundalk v Bohemians (6.30) Portmarnock v Dublin City (2.30); Skerries Town v Monaghan Utd (2.30); Tolka Rovers v Longford Town (2.30).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)