Drogheda Utd 1 Rovers 1

Drogs strike late to deny battling Rovers...

Sean O'Connors fine strike in the 28th minute almost gave Rovers all three points in an entertaining game against the defending champions. However it was the home side that dominated the first 25 minutes. Robert Duggan had an eventful night and only four minutes into the game he was called on to save Cahills strike from the edge of the box. Byrne then volleyed over a cross from Bates. It was Bates again who broke through the Hoops defence on 11 minutes but Duggan advance to save with his feet.

Maguire made a good defensive header on 15 minutes before Madden was called on to deny Zayed's attempt to get on to a through ball. Duggan punched away under pressure on 23 minutes but the ball fell to Zayed who slipped just as he looked likely to shoot and Price was quick to clear the danger.

The Hoops first real attack of the game produced a goal. Purcell and O'Connor exchanged passes before O'Connor unleashed a sweet low drive into the bottom corner of the net from the right hand side of the area. Maguire headed narrowly wide in the 32nd minute from Ndo's corner. The home side hit back in the 35th minute when Stuart Byrnes cross found Kudozovic and his overhead kick was on target but Duggan was down quickly to save. Rovers broke on the counter attack and Ndo almost forced himself past two defenders into a shooting position.

Duggan produced another class save when Maher met a corner and his header was goal bound before the Hoops 'keeper intervened. On 40 minutes Bates got behind Price but again Duggan was well placed to save. The start of the second-half saw the home side continue the pressure but a glancing header from Bates was straight at the 'keeper. On 50 minutes Rice burst forward and found Sean O'Connor whoose low cross almost found the inrushing Purcell.

The game was producing a lot of chances and Duggan had to be alert to take Cahills low cross after 52 minutes. Danny O'Connor then produced a fine tackle to deny Shelly's run into the box. In the 57th minute a Rice pass was flicked on by Ndo for O'Brien to cross low into the area but the Drogs 'keeper saved at the second attempt.

The Hoops defence was still coming under pressure and Maguire made a brilliant tackle to deny a run from Hughes. Ndo took a corner in the 65th minute but Maguire's header was well wide. Price cleared a dangerous low cross on 69 minutes before O'Brien almost played Rice in but Kendrick got back to block.

On 73 minutes Cahill burst past Madden but Duggan stood up well and saved his shot. As the game entered the final 10 minutes Rice and Flynn combined to send O'Brien into the box but the Hoops defender saw his shot blocked. The resultant corner fell to Danny O'Connor but his shot was blocked and the Drogs cleared. On 84 minutes a Madden free-kick saw Flynn play a first-time ball into the area and the 'keeper could only palm the ball away and Rovers couldn't take advantage.

With just three minutes remaining a Kendrick high ball into the area was met by the head of Thiam and the tall Senagalese player looped a header over Duggan for the equaliser. The home side pushed on and Price and Madden defended a dangerous cross deep into the four minutes of added-on time. The Hoops defence held firm to take a deserved point.