St Patrick's A 3 Drogheda U 0:DARYL KAVANAGH scored his first league goals for St Patrick's last night as they swept aside bottom-of-the-table Drogheda. He scored twice before half-time, and might have had a hat-trick, as St Patrick's continued their revival.

With Danny North and Seán Stewart lively on the right flank, a positive start appeared to have petered out as Drogheda were allowed work their way into the game. It proved a momentary respite for Mick Cooke’s side, though, as St Patrick’s came alive to deservedly take their 27th minute lead.

Stephen Trimble in the Drogheda goal had to save well with his feet to thwart Derek Doyle after Stewart came in from the wing to set him up before North burst through the defence to fire a shot wide. Despite the pressure, it was an error that brought the St Patrick’s lead as Kavanagh’s well-hit drive squirmed through the hands of Trimble.

On 37 minutes Doyle, North and then Ian Bermingham set up Kavanagh who hit his shot over the top. Trimble then tipped over from Kavanagh two minutes later. The second goal came on 43 minutes as Drogheda’s defence disintegrated with North feeding the ball into Kavanagh who scored from 14 yards.

North sealed the three points on 71 minutes when side-footing home Doyle’s cross. It should have been more as Drogheda captain Brian Gannon hacked off the line. Kavanagh was denied his hat-trick on 75 minutes as his shot from Stewart’s cross struck the top of Trimble’s left post.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Rogers; Pender, E McMillan (Daly, 83 mins) Shortall, Bermingham; Stewart, Crowley (Murphy, 75 mins), McFaul (Bradley, 22 mins), Doyle; Kavanagh, North.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble; Nolan, McNally (Thompson, half-time), Ekanem, Hand; Gannon, M. O’Brien, Quigley, McEntaggart (McNamara, 69 mins); Freeman (Corcoran, 61 mins), Hanaphy.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).