Rovers were not at their best tonight but still had the opportunities to take all three points. Gary Twigg’s eleventh goal of the season right before the break was followed six minutes into the second-half by a penalty miss by Sean O’Connor. Rovers kept a lively Drogheda side at bay until a terrible mix-up between Price and Murphy allowed ex-Hoop Jamie Duffy in to score a late equaliser.
On a gloriously sunny evening in Tallaght the game was five minutes old when O’Connor crossed for Twigg to head straight at Williams. It was a fairly tame opening to the game and it wasn’t until the 18th minute that Williams was tested again this time following a long throw-in from Rice, he beat away O’Connor’s fine volley. On 20 minutes the Drogs ‘keeper was on hand again to palm away a dangerous cross.
The visitors got into the game and a glancing header from Kenna caused problems for the Hoops defence on 24 minutes. A great tackle by Maguire denied Shield’s a scoring opportunity three minutes later. Rovers had a fair share of possession but failed to create many openings. Williams was on hand to punch away a good delivery by O’Connor on 38 minutes and a minute later Barrett had a half-chance for Drogheda from Whelan’s cross.
Five minutes before the break Barry Murphy had to be alert to push away Chamber’s fine shot from the edge of the area. Right on the blow of half-time a long throw-in by Rice fell to O’Connor and he volleyed across goal for the irrepressible Twigg to head home from close-range.
At the beginning of the second-half a reckless tackle from Shield’s on Rice was only punished with a yellow card. On 51 minutes substitute Purcell sent Baker in on goal but Williams advanced to block his effort. O’Connor followed-up and the Ref. adjudged that McNally handled the ball in the area. Sean O’Connor stepped up to take the kick but Williams guessed right and dived to save. From the resultant corner Twigg's header went over the bar.
The visitors pushed forward and Clarke crossed for Barrett to head the ball on but Whelan’s shot went high and wide. Barrett then went close himself just three minutes later when he fired just over the bar.
On the hour Baker found Twigg in space on the left-hand side of the area but Williams saved his fine first time effort. O’Connor then had a chance from Bakers cross but he headed wide. A good move by Rovers after 75 minutes saw substitute Amond feed Twigg on the right but again Williams blocked his effort and Amond’s follow up shot went over the bar.
It looked like the Hoops had done enough to claim all three points as the game entered the final five minutes but when Duffy chased a through ball Aiden Price hesitated and waited for Murphy to come and claim the ball but Duffy took advantage to get between the Hoops defender and ‘keeper to flick the ball over Murphy and score.
The Hoops had a chance to regain the lead in the dying minutes when Rice’s throw-in was headed on by Maguire and Amond chested the ball into the path of Twigg but his shot was saved and the rebound deflected off Amond and went wide. Amond’s low shot inside the box was easily claimed by Williams just before the final whistle.
