Baker confident Drogheda can progress

Relishing his time in the side following a prolonged injury layoff, Richie Baker stood tall last night as Drogheda United forced Henrik Larsson's Helsingborgs to a 1-1 draw in the Uefa Cup second qualifying round, first leg tie at Dalymount Park.

The diminutive winger is no stranger to big European nights having traipsed the continent with Shelbourne in recent seasons and he put that experience to good effect last night.

He teased and tormented down the right flank throughout and was central to Drogheda's equaliser when setting up Eamon Zayed early in the second half to cancel out Larsson's opener

The tie is now delicately poised and although the Swedes proved formidable opponents, Baker believes the League of Ireland leaders possess the arsenal to eliminate their opponents in a fortnight's time.

"They came out and played 4-4-2 and we went 4-4-2, so the same two teams wanted to win the game," he said.  "It wasn't like a typical European game, there was nothing cagey about it.

"Maybe they didn't think we were as good as we were but I'm sure they'll give us a bit more respect over there.  We attacked well, could have got more goals and should have come away with a win.

"We're disappointed in the goal we gave away.  We got caught in their half and they broke well.  Then Larsson, well, you cant give chances away to him of all people and he slotted it away nicely.  Class act.

"But we showed how good we are and that we can compete with big teams.  It's up to us now to get a good result and we'll go over there with great confidence.

"Without a doubt we're still in the game. We have quality throughout the side and the lads give everything for each other.  That's very valuable to a team. Everything is set up nicely for us."

Manager Paul Doolin refused to speculate on his team's chances of progressing, conceding only that it would be a "tough, tough game over there".

Nevertheless, he was buoyed by Drogheda's battling qualities and highlighted the tenacious second half performance as his side showed tremendous character to pull level.

"They started very well but then we had lots of good chances.  They shaded the first half but we were excellent after the break, really excellent," he said.

"They were as good a team as I've seen over here in a while.  They moved the ball well, were physically fit, just very good players.

"But our introduction of (striker) Tony Grant in the second half changed things and we were unlucky not to get a second goal.  I thought we had the better chances, the more clear-cut chances, the better moves.

"Of course it will be tough for us in Sweden but we don't give away many goals so at least we've something to fight for.  We're not bad away from home either."

Helsingborgs boss Stuart Baxter tried signing Doolin as a player when he was in charge of AIK and was impressed by the manner in which the home side toughed it out to the death.

Larsson's away goal tips the tie in Helsingborgs favour and their manager admits his side are favourites to progress.  However, he concedes the tie is "far from over."

"That was probably the best performance of a Swedish side in Ireland for some time," he said, "and with a 1-1 we'd have to consider ourselves favourites but that doesn't mean this tie is over.  But we'll work hard to try kill it off."