Drogheda United v Bohemians  (7.45pm): Drogheda bowed out of the FAI Cup "with a whimper" when losing to Bohemians last month but Shane Robinson is gunning for revenge when the sides meet again at United Park tonight.

Darren Mansaram's strike at the same venue secured the Dubliners ticket for the third round. But tonight the sides clash in the league and with Drogheda setting pace, Robinson and co are out to protect their station.

"That cup game was a disappointment, definitely, we didn't perform at all and it was heartbreaking to go out with a whimper like that," the midfielder says. "There wasn't much in the match but we just didn't play to our capabilities on the night. So we're out of the cup, but the league is a different matter and I suppose it's more important really.

"We won the cup a few seasons ago and it was a great year. But if you're not going to win it you're better off going out in the first round as there's no point going to, say, the semi-finals and losing.  We're out now, there's noting we can do about it. We must concentrate on what we're in which is Europe and the league."

Last weekend's late winner against UCD typified the character and belief in the Drogheda camp, according to Robinson.  Paul Doolin's side carved out a number of chances but looked to have squandered their chance of leapfrogging then leaders St Patrick's Athletic who were beaten in Waterford on the same night.

But Aiden O'Keeffe, on the pitch just a matter of minutes, steered home the winner two minutes into injury-time to send the Co Louth side top.

"The most important thing for us is to negotiate the games we have in the coming weeks," adds Robinson. "We need to stay top of the league and maintain our push for the duration.

"It's an open league. No team has strung together six or seven wins. We've had patchy form last couple of weeks but we're now over a significant injury crisis. The last few weeks have been good

"We were chasing clubs ahead of us for a long time. Sometimes you think 'jaysus are we ever going to get to the top?' But we're there now. Teams are looking at us now and the longer we keep winning the longer they'll be saying 'ah jaysus they've won again'."

It's tight at the top, with just four points separating the leaders and tonight's opponents who are fourth, although Drogheda do have a game in hand.

But a win over Sean Connor's side tonight would stretch their lead to four points as second-placed St Patrick's Athletic don't play Longford Town until Sunday.

Connor views tonight's showdown as a "must win encounter" and has shrugged off criticism that his team "grind out results".

"This is one we cannot afford to loose in the race for the title. A win, on the other hand, will mean that we are genuine title contenders," he says. "If we have to grind our way to a league title then so be it."

Drogheda are still without Jason Gavin, Ollie Cahill and Declan O'Brien but Richie Baker, Tony Grant and O'Keefee could play a some part.

The visitors are without John Paul Kelly (ankle) and Jason McGuinness (back) but Harpal Singh comes back into contention after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Mansaram, a substitute against Bray on Monday, is likely to partner Glen Crowe up front with Neale Fenn dropping to the bench.