Drogheda Utd 0 Bohemians 1:A SOLITARY GOAL just beyond the mid-point of the first half decided this one as an out of sorts Bohemians just about saw off a game Drogheda side who gave their all but once again lacked a cutting edge in the final quarter of the park.

Drogheda began brightly but it was poor defending that led to Bohemians opening goal on 24 minutes.

Joseph Ndo all too easily muscled Gavin Whelan off the ball on the left before playing it to Glen Crowe who picked out the unmarked Anthony Murphy in the box who in turn had the simplest task of driving the ball to the net.

United responded positively and caused a few anxious moments for the visitors. John Paul Kelly’s free flew through a crowded goalmouth to a surprised Whelan who only had a split second to react and guided his header just wide.

With half an hour gone Kelly’s cross from the right broke to Ian Ryan who saw his goal bound strike deflected out for a corner. And in added time at the end of the half David O’Connor won possession in the oppositions half and pushed forward before placing the ball into the path of Paul Crowley, who fired badly wide from a good position.

Drogheda worked the first chance in the second half when Ken Oman was dispossessed by Robbie Farrell who saw his snap shot saved by Brian Murphy.

Minutes later Kelly stepped over Mark Duggan’s free allowing the ball run through to Paul Shiels, who touched it onto Alan McNally for the defender to lift his effort over the target.

Bohemians almost doubled their advantage on 67 minutes when Ndo’s corner found Jason Byrne who shot past the angle of post and crossbar. Shortly afterwards Killian Brennan’s free found Ken Oman who glanced his header narrowly wide as the defending champions went in search of the goal that would kill the game off.

With a minute remaining Steve Williams was called into action when he got down well to save from Crowe.

DROGHEDA: Williams, Whelan, Clarke, Ryan, McNally, Shiels (Chambers, 61 mins), Kelly, Duggan, Crowley, O’Connor (King, 77 mins), Martin (Farrell, 35 mins).

BOHEMIANS: Murphy, Hearty, Shelley, Deegan, McGuinness, Oman, Murphy, Ndo, Crowe, Byrne (Brennan, 68 mins), Keegan.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).