LONGFORD TOWN 0 DROGHEDA UNITED 2 (Cronin 54, Myler 80, Molloy s/o 90)
FIRST DIVISION:
GALWAY UNITED 0 DUBLIN CITY 1 (O’Byrne 3)
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Eighth-placed Drogheda edged further clear of the Premier Division relegation worries with a 2-0 win over Longford Town at Flancare Park last night. A run of eight points from their last four games has seen the County Louth side leapfrog Derry City in the table, and this hard-earned win over cup winners Longford will give them real belief going into their final run-in of five games.
Midfielder Gary Cronin drilled home the opener on 54 minutes, following a mix-up in the Town defence that left goalkeeper Stephen O’Brien exposed. Cronin’s second of the season spurred United onto greater things and it was free-scoring striker Andy Myler who pounced ten minutes from time, for Drogheda’s second and his fifth in four games.
Myler sealed the vital win with his fourteenth strike of the league campaign, as a flowing move saw John Flanagan and Barry Molloy initially involved before an incisive lay-off from Myler into space and he made no mistake from twelve yards with a well-timed side foot past O’Brien.
Molloy was dismissed as normal time ended, for a second booking, but Paul Doolin’s men will be more concerned with the fact that they are now just two points behind seventh-placed Longford, and four ahead of Derry, with next Friday’s visit to UCD essential for their top flight survival.
The race for the title and fight to avoid relegation is sure to take a further twists tomorrow night and Tuesday, when leaders Shelbourne host bottom side UCD at Tolka Park, and Bohemians travel north in search of three points at Derry’s Brandywell.
In the First Division, Dublin City edged into second spot, level on points with leaders Bray but with seven fewer goals in their armour, as a Mick O’Byrne strike after three minutes of last night’s encounter with Galway United gave them a 1-0 win at Terryland Park. His second goal of the season secured City’s second win on the bounce, and condemned seventh-placed Galway to their fourth consecutive defeat.
The Vikings entertain third-placed Finn Harps next Saturday, and pace setters Bray on November 29, the final day of the season.