Rovers 0 Drogheda Utd 0

Rovers and Drogs finish all square

All eyes on the ball for Ger O'Brien and Shane Robinson

A more positive approach from Rovers in the second half almost garnered all three points when a late rally saw the Hoops go close on a couple of occasions. However the visitors had the best of the first period and after the Hoops survived a free-kick inside their own area awarded when Barry Murphy picked up a back-pass, ex-Hoop Tony Grant turned well in the box and fired a shot from a tight angle that Murphy did well to push away for a corner in the 17th minute.

The Hoops tried hard to create any openings and Amond's hooked cross was cleared by Gavin after 20 minutes. Drogs 'keeper Ewings was quick off his line to head clear as Amond chased a through ball in the 26th minute and a minute later Ewings was fast off his line to gather a Price clearance in front of Purcell.

Cahills low cross was well defended by Price after 30 minutes and Murphy again denied Grant when he tipped away his curling effort. On 33 minutes an O'Connor free-kick went across goal to Maguire and the ball fell for Amond but his shot was saved by Ewings. Sean O'Connors shot was blocked for a corner after 37 minutes but overall the Hoops struggled to make inroads on the visitors goal.

The introduction of Alan Murphy at half-time gave Rovers a more positive approach and Amond's shot on 49 minutes finished off a good period of Rovers pressure. Doyle's low shot on 51 minutes was saved by the Drogs 'keeper but the Hoops best chance of the game so far came in the 57th minute when Doyle crossed for Amond to turn well and shoot but Ewings outstretched foot cleared the ball and Rice's follow-up shot wasn't on target.

Shane Robinson then wasted a free header in the box from a free-kick just after the hour. Purcell couldn't take advantage of a mistake by Gavin when his first touch let him down. On 69 minutes Purcell laid the ball off for Ger O'Brien in space but the Hoops defender fired the ball across goal and wide.

The Hoops went looking for the winner as the game entered the final ten minutes and Amonds cross was attacked at the back post by Langtry but he couldn't get direction on his header. Despite this late pressure the Hoops had a let-off when Gavin sent in a fine cross and substitute Bates had a free-header in front of goal but conspired to head wide.

Rovers continued to press and when Rice was fouled by Robinson at the edge of the area Alan Murphy stepped up to fire a powerful free-kick on goal and Ewings reacted well to punch the ball over the bar. The resultant corner fell to Rice outside the area and his shot found Amond with his back to goal. The Carlow man improvised and his back-heel saw the ball hit the inside of the post and was then scrambled away.

Deep into injury time Rovers won a free-kick right at the bye-line and the ball went across the face of the goal but a Hoops player couldn't apply the final touch. A Drogheda counter attack was snuffed out by a fine Price block at the other end as the Ref. blew time on a frantic finish to the game.