Drogheda United may well look back on last night's clash with fellow strugglers Finn Harps as the one which finally extinguished their hopes of Premier Division survival.
The Boynesiders had no answer to their opponents, who dominated proceedings. However, while two-goal hero Mike Turner had plenty to smile about at full time, he owed it all to the superb Johnny Kenny, who was the architect of the crucial win.
The first goal arrived after just 100 seconds when Turner headed home at the far post following a scuffed Kenny shot which had squirmed skywards.
Surprisingly, given the pattern of play, it took Finn Harps until the 26th minute to add the second. This time, Kenny reached the by-line before pulling the ball back for the unmarked Turner, who had time and space to pick his spot.
Turner might have claimed his hat-trick within eight minutes of the restart but blazed over the bar with an open goal to aim at.
DROGHEDA UTD: Byrne; A Murphy, Boyle, Foley, Maher, O'Keeffe, McNulty, C Murphy, Impey, O'Dowd, Cronin. Subs: Hannon for Boyle & Butler for Cronin (both half time), McCann for Impey (88).
FINN HARPS: Cullen; Kenny, Bradley, Boyle, Dykes, Tierney, Mohan, McGranaghan, Mulligan, Turner, Harkin. Subs: Scanlon for Kenny (72), Speak for Turner (79).
Referee: Jim O'Neill (Waterford).
