Drogspile on Dundalk misery

Dundalk’s woeful run of Airtricity Premier League of Ireland home results continued last night, now having just one win in seven league games.

Former player Paul Crowley sent them crashing here, heading the winner on 65 minutes in a lively Louth derby that ended with Eric Foley sent off for a second bookable offence two minutes from time.

Drogheda took a deserved lead through Sean Brennan two minutes from the break, but Dundalk substitute Gary Shanahan equalised five minutes after his introduction on 63 minutes.

Drogheda went back in front two minutes later, Crowley heading Eric Foley’s cross from the right high into the top corner.

However, it took three outstanding saves in the closing minutes from Gabriel Sava to secure the points for Drogheda, denying Mark Griffin twice and also home captain Chris Shields.

Referee Paul Tuite showed eight yellow cards, five in the opening 30 minutes. The home side’s Chris Shields, Stephen McDonnell, Mark Griffin and Shane O’Neill ended up in his notebook, along with the Boynesiders Stephen Quigley.

Drogheda’s Eric Foley and the home side’s Derek Foran followed them in the second-half before Foley then was dismissed.

DUNDALK: Cherrie, McLoughlin (McSorley 75), Foran, Burns, Murphy, McDonnell, Shields, Mountney, Walsh, O’Neill (Shanahan 58), Griffin.

DROGHEDA: Sava, Quigley, McNally, Prendergast, Hand, Ryan Brennan, Crowley, Ryan Brennan ( Marshall 88), Foley, Hynes (Breen 90 +2), O’Brien ( M O'Brien 90+2).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin)