Shamrock Rovers 1; Drogheda United 2: Paul Doolin's 65th-minute substitutions were the key to a hard-earned but deserved victory for Drogheda at Richmond Park last night.

With his side 1-0 down, Doolin introduced Gary Cronin, John Flanagan and Declan O'Brien. Cronin would equalise and O'Brien earned the visitors a penalty with five minutes left which Alan Reilly converted.

Mark Rooney will consider himself unlucky not to have given Drogheda the lead on 20 minutes when he was released by Andy Myler and, from an acute angle on the right hand side, drilled the ball under Noel Mooney but wide.

Rovers lacked ideas and Mark O'Brien's 61st-minute goal was against the run of play when Derek Tracey pulled the ball back and O'Brien scored from close range.

Rovers looked as if they could grab a second with Shane Robinson forcing Tony O'Dowd into a save but Drogheda deserved their 76th-minute equaliser.

Flanagan, finding space on the right, crossed for Myler. Although Rovers had a chance to clear, Myler's shot was only parried by Mooney and Cronin was on hand to equalise. The visitors then grabbed all three points when Declan O'Brien was upended by Terry Palmer. Reilly sent Mooney the wrong way with five minutes remaining.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mooney, Gough, Palmer, Malone, Doyle, Robinson, O'Brien, Tracey (Thornton, 89 mins), Rutherford, Caffrey (O'Halloran, 66), McGuinness.

DROGHEDA UNITED: O'Dowd, Lynch, Grey, O'Connor, Sullivan (Flanagan, 65 mins), Lester, Reilly, Freeman, Sandwliet (Cronin, 65), Rooney (O'Brien, 65), Myler.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork)