Zayed has the final say for Drogheda

Derry City 0 Drogheda Utd 1:THE NORTHWEST in September has been kind to Eamon Zayed and Drogheda. Seven days ago United's top marksman notched a brace of goals in his side's victory over Finn Harps and last night he grabbed the only goal of the game as the Boynesiders maintained their push for a European place next season as they closed the gap on third-placed Derry to five points with a game in hand.

Derry began brightly and early on strung together a lovely move down the left which saw Niall McGinn cut into the box and play a dangerous ball across the six-yard line but there was no City player on hand to turn the ball home.

Sammy Morrow's cross from the other side only required the merest of touches to direct it goal wards but again the Candystripes front men were nowhere to be found.

The home side created their best chance of the half on 18 minutes when Gareth McGlynn's powerful strike was pushed round the post by goalkeeper Jamie Ewings.

Having weathered the early storm, Drogheda, against the run of play, almost broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Zayed put Fahrudin Kuduzovic through on goal. However Gerard Doherty raced from his line to save.

The visitors silenced the home support on 33 minutes when Richie Baker whipped a cross into the box from the right for Zayed who squeezed the ball past Doherty at the near post.

Three minutes from half time Drogheda went close to doubling their advantage as Shane Robinson's sweet drive from just inside the penalty area across Doherty only just missed the target.

The second half was the direct opposite of the opening 45 minutes as the visitors had City on the back foot, with Maher going close with a header and then when Baker ran on to Zayed's through ball, his powerful shot rebounded to Kudozovic, whose snap shot was brilliantly turned over by Doherty.

DERRY CITY:Doherty, McCallion, McChrystal, Gray (McHugh, 75 mins), Higgins (Dennehy, 64 mins), Morrow (Stewart, 75 mins), McGlynn, Deery, Molloy, Farren, McGinn.

DROGHEDA UTD:Ewings, Kendrick, Gartland, Robinson, Baker (Hughes, 81 mins), Shelley, Zayed, Keegan, Maher, Cahill, Kuduzovic.

Referee:H Whoriskey (Meath)