Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 2:SHAMROCK ROVERS are at long last getting into their stride as they eased past the side above them in the table to close the gap on Drogheda who simply weren't at the races.

The Hoops, two goals to the good at the break, were never troubled in a second half they played for the most part with 10 men after Chris Turner was dismissed with an hour gone.

On a difficult greasy surface Rovers were first to create an opportunity early on when Turner fired wide from the edge of the box.

As the quarter hour mark approached Drogheda won their first corner which Gavin Brennan swung in from the right for Derek Prendergast who only just missed the touch that would have sent the ball to the net.

With 16 minutes gone the Hoops hit the front from Gary McCabe’s corner which Ciarán Kilduff raced unchallenged into a crowded goalmouth to rise highest and power his header home.

United then won a couple of frees in decent positions that Sean Brennan took on both occasions, first testing keeper Oscar Jansson and then whipping in a ball that sailed narrowly wide.

As the half wore on the defending champions began to show their class as McCabe’s fierce shot took a deflection and shaved the post, Turners shot was spilled by Gabriel Sava but Gary Twigg turned the ball wide and Ronan Finn’s effort was pushed to safety by Sava.

The visitors got the vital second in the 33rd minute. McCabe was involved as he sent the ball onto Twigg who set up Ronan Finn and he found the bottom corner with a crisp strike.

The early stages of the second half had little action until a red card was produced by referee Damien Hancock. Turner clashed with Paul Crowley off the ball, he headed for an early bath while Crowley was booked for his trouble.

Jansson had to be at his best when stopping Tiarnan Mulvenna’s close range effort which if it had gone in wouldn’t have counted anyway as an assistant’s flag was raised. A minute from time the numbers were evened up once more when Derek Prendergast saw yellow for a second time.

DROGHEDA UTD: Sava, Quigley, Prendergast, McNally, S Brennan (Brady, 83 mins), G Brennan, Hynes (Mulvenna, 69 mins), Crowley, Gannon, O’Brien, Byrne (Sullivan, 57 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Jansson, Rice, Sives, Turner, Gilbert, Hawkins, Powell, Finn, McCabe (Dennehy, 72 mins), Kilduff (Stewart 89), Twigg (K Brennan, 68 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin)