Shelbourne share spoils

Drogheda United 1 Shelbourne 1Shelbourne's 100 per cent start to the new season came to an end at O2 Park in Drogheda last night. The Reds hit the front seven minutes from the break. However, Drogheda levelled four minutes later to take the initiative from the visitors. Despite intense Shelbourne pressure in the second half the visitors were unable to beat a solid Drogheda defence.

Shelbourne made all the running in the early stages as the home side failed to create an opportunity. Shelbourne had an excellent opportunity in the seventh minute when Jim Crawford's strike cannoned off defender Gary Cronin to safety.

It should have been 1-0 to the visitors after 22 minutes when a mistake by Danny O'Connor in the Drogheda defence allowed Wes Hoolihan race clear. He fed the ball to Jason Byrne whose close-range strike was once again blocked by defender Cronin.

Shelbourne deservedly took the lead just seven minutes before the break. Crawford with a beautiful defence-splitting pass found Byrne through the centre who then fired pass Rogers from the edge of the Drogheda box.

Drogheda levelled just four minutes later. United won a throw-in deep in Shelbourne territory on the right. From the throw Declan O'Brien headed the ball into the path of the O'Connor who fired home from close range. A Drogheda free deep in first-half injury time from Andy Myler was well gathered by Steve Williams.

Shelbourne were unlucky not to make it 2-1 in the opening minute of the second half when Owen Heary rapped the ball off the post. Stephen Geoghegan with a free on 50 minutes forced Rogers into a fine save. Minutes later, Richie Baker was allowed run free into the Drogheda box but his weak shot was easily dealt with by Rogers. Just after the hour mark Geoghegan set up Byrne who fired narrowly over from an acute angle.

Shelbourne had the ball in the Drogheda net after 69 minutes. However, Geoghegan's effort was ruled out for offside. The final chance of the game fell to Shels with two minutes remaining when Byrne flashed the ball across the Drogheda goal line from the left but there was no one on hand to turn the ball in.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; O'Connor, Cronin, Jones, Gollogley, Quinless, Tierney, Beesley, O'Brien, Myler, Flanagan. Subs: Tarrant for Quinless (half-time); Delaney for Beesley (79mins).

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Crawley, Crawford, Doherty, Gannon, Hoolihan, Morgan, Byrne, Geoghegan, Baker. Subs: Cahill for Hoolihan (67 mins); McCarthy for Geoghegan (77 mins).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).