DROGHEDA UNITED missed a chance to improve their position in the relegation struggle at the bottom of the National League premier division when they drew with Cork City in a postponed game at United Park last night.

Drogheda led twice and should have scored more but in the end they were lucky to pick up even a point as Pat Morley hit a post in the closing minutes.

Drogheda dominated the first half and took a deserved lead in the 16th minute when a long ball out of defence by Mick Shelley gave John Ryan the chance to beat the Cork offside trap and he ran on to score a good goal.

Eight minutes after the break Cork levelled when John Caulfield crossed into the box and Tony Connolly's shot was deflected into his own net by Colm Tresson.

Drogheda kept up the pressure and despite some good defending by player-manager Rob Heindmarch the home side went in front in the 68th minute when Trevor Vaughan scored his first goal for the club.

In a break-out only five minutes later, Cork were level again when Pat Morley scored from another Caulfield cross.

Drogheda missed several good chances to win the game, Vaughan in particular missing an open goal and then having a shot diverted wide.

In the final minutes, however, Morley again had the home side in trouble when he hit the outside of a post. Drogheda had to be content with just one point, which leaves them four points ahead of Athlone but with their game advantage gone.