Shelbourne 1 Drogheda U 2:GAVIN BRENNAN scored a last gasp winner as Drogheda made it five wins on the spin to maintain their brilliant season.

Shelbourne, who finished with ten men, had battled back in the second half and looked good value for a point when substitute Conan Byrne equalised Cathal Bradys first half lead.

But with the clock three minutes into stoppage time, winger Brennan’s speculative cross shot dipped down at the far upright and went it off the butt of the post. The win edges Mick Cooke’s journeymen to within three points of leaders Sligo Rovers who play Cork City tomorrow.

The result was a little harsh on Shelbourne after Byrne looked to have snatched a draw on 74 minutes.

Byrne ended a fine move involving Kevin Dawson, Lorcan Fitzgerald and Philly Gorman by blasting to the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Five minutes later, Byrne came within inches of putting Shelbourne ahead as he poked wide at a stretch from Gorman’s low cross.

In end to end fare, Drogheda came even closer to regaining the lead on 83 minutes as substitute Seán Brennan volleyed against the bar from brother Gavin’s cross.

Shelbourne then had central defender Stephen Paisley sent off two minutes later for hauling down Declan O’Brien.

Drogheda took the lead on 11 minutes. O’Brien let rip with a stinging 30-yard free-kick which the Shelbourne keeper spilled. Brady was alert to the loose ball to tap it home.

Despite the setback the home side had much of the better of the first half. But, as in the first half, it was Drogheda who came out all guns blazing on the resumption and they should have doubled their lead early on before the late drama.

SHELBOURNE: Bennion; Matthews, Hurley, Paisley, Fitzgerald; Kavanagh (Byrne, h-t), Sullivan (Shortall, 61 mins), Dawson (Boyle, 88 mins), Cassidy; Hughes, Gorman.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Sava; McMahon, Prendergast, McNally, Hand; Brady (S Brennan, 76 mins), Crowley, Byrne (Foley, 80 mins), G Brennan; O’Brien, Hynes.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).