Drogheda United 1 Bohemians 2:A DRAMATIC finish saw Bohemians take all three points from a game that appeared to be heading for a draw. As the clock ticked into the fifth minute of additional time Drogheda goalkeeper Jamie Ewings felled Glen Crowe in the box and referee Alan Kelly pointed straight to the penalty spot.
Killian Brennan stepped up and sent the kick nonchalantly to the net to win it for Pat Fenlon's men.
It was Drogheda's third league defeat of the season.
Drogheda enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening half but failed to make their superiority pay. Eamon Zayed's snap shot after three minutes beat goalkeeper Brian Murphy but went just the wrong side of the post.
Brian Shelley's cross picked out Aidan O'Keeffe who guided his header straight into the arms of Murphy, before Shane Robinson missed the target minutes later with another header.
With 27 minutes gone United should have scored when O'Keeffe pulled the ball back for Paul Keegan who dragged his shot wide.
As the half wore on the visitors came much more into the match. Owen Heary's shot was blocked by Shelley and the same player then sent over a dangerous cross which came off Keegan's head forcing Ewings to tip the ball out for a corner.
Somewhat against the run of play Bohemians took the lead in the final minute of the half when Jason Gavin fouled Jason Byrne on the edge of the box. Killian Brennan stepped up and sent his free-kick to the top corner of the net.
Early after the break Drogheda moved the ball swiftly and Robinson's shot from an acute angle was saved by Murphy.
Ten minutes into the half Brennan sent a free from the right into the Drogheda box for Jason Byrne whose powerful header was brilliantly tipped over by Ewings.
Drogheda levelled on 74 minutes when Keegan's ball fell to Ollie Cahill just outside the penalty area, and as Owen Heary got a block on Cahill's shot the ball spun viciously in the air and dipped under the crossbar.
Barely 60 seconds later the home side nearly took the lead as Keegan unleashed a fine shot that flew narrowly wide.
Drogheda were reduced to 10 men four minutes from time when Stuart Byrne was cautioned for a second time for a mistimed challenge on John Paul Kelly.
The defending champions appeared to have done enough to earn a share of the spoils until they were hit with that late sucker punch.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Ewings, Kendrick (Hughes, 88 mins), Gavin, Gartland, Robinson, Shelley, Byrne, Zayed (O'Brien, 66 mins), Keegan, O'Keeffe (Thiam, 54 mins), Cahill.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy, Heary, Powell (O'Donnell, 70 mins), Rossiter, Burns, McGuinness, Kelly, Cronin, Crowe, Byrne (Fenn, 81 mins), Brennan.
Referee A Kelly (Cork).
