Pat's go five points clear

St. Patrick's Athletic 1 Drogheda United 0

Colm Foley headed St. Pat's five points clear at the top of the table as they inflicted a first defeat of the season on title favourites Drogheda United in tonight's battle of the top two at Richmond Park.

Skipper Foley led by example to meet Keith Fahey's free kick in from the left to glance a downward header past Mikko Vilmunen with just 10 minutes remaining.

Though St. Pat's enjoyed much of the possession, Drogheda had the better chances throughout the game and both Paul Keegan and Shane Robinson came close to levelling in the closing minutes.

Drogheda had the better of much of the first half creating a real chance on seven minutes.

Stuart Byrne got in behind onto Robinson's ball over the top, but Barry Ryan in the Saints goal stood up well to parry the Drogheda skipper's shot with his leg.

Saints continued to defend stoutly though, and Paisley bravely blocked Robinson's goalbound shot on the hour mark.

But Saints dominated possession throughout the second half with Fahey, from a stunning 30-yard free-kick, inches off target on 71 minutes before providing the delivery for the winner.