Drogheda Ruin Dundalk Homecoming

Drogheda scorer Mark Leech

Drogheda were the better side and made the breakthrough three minutes before the interval when a Simon Webb cross from the left was toe-poked home at the near post by Mark Leech.

Drogheda continued to dominate the start of the second half and went further ahead on 53 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Shanahan upended O'Brien. Damian Lynch made no mistake from the spot and put the 'keeper the wrong way.

Drogheda could have put the came beyond doubt in the 60^th minute but O,Briens snap shot was brilliantly parried away by Shanahan.

Dundalk's best chance came in the 64^th minute when a poor back header by Graham Gartland saw Ger McCarthy get a touch only for the ball to go agonisingly wide of the post.