Adam Whelan uses his head to grab equaliser for Drogs

Drogheda United 1-1 Derry City

There was nothing to separate Drogheda united and Derry City as they played out a competitive 1-1 draw at United Park.

Derry opened the scoring on 40 minutes through Mark Timlin’s stunning free-kick though United earned a share of the spoils after Adam Whelan’s second half equaliser.

The visitors had the first shot on goal after five minutes as bright passing between Peter McEleney and Ryan Curran saw the latter test Micheál Schlingermann in goal.

Drogheda, who were struggling in midfield without their usual pairing of Mark Hughes and Sean Thornton, were fortunate that Peter McEleney under hit his attempted chip after he was played through on goal.

A long throw-in on the right saw Robert O'Reilly knock the ball onto Sean Brennan but the midfielder failed to generate enough power to cause Derry goalkeeper Ger Doherty any problems.

The Candystripes eventually took the lead just before the interval as Timlin’s stunning free-kick gave Schlingermann no chance in goal.

Drogheda started the second half strongly and they equalised ten minutes after the break as Joe Gorman's cross from the left was headed in off the bar by winger Adam Whelan for his second goal in three games.

Tempers threatened to boil over soon after as Seamus Sharkey was booked for a late challenge on Lee Duffy with the defender fortunate not to see red.

Derry squandered a guilt-edged chance to take all three points as Dean Jarvis’ cross was met by Curran but the striker dragged his effort wide while Duffy was denied at the death for Drogheda.

Drogheda United: Schlingermann; Daly, Buckley, Byrne, Gorman; Whelan (Brady 77), O’Reilly, Maher, Marks, Brennan (Mulvenna 85); Duffy

Derry City: Doherty; Sharkey, S McEleney, Barry, Jarvis; Curran, Lowry, McNamee, Curtis (G Kelly 84); P McEleney, Timlin

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)