Vital away goal for Drogheda

AC Libertas 1 Drogheda United 1

A well-taken late goal from substitute Federico Nanni earned minnows Libertas a draw they scarcely deserved against Drogheda United tonight.

The away side failed to make their almost total dominance pay at the Stadio di Serravalle in their UEFA Cup first qualifying round, first leg tie.

Trailing to Eamon Zayed’s first half lead, Libertas struck to score with their only chance in the whole game on 77 minutes.

Nanni burst through form midfield, skipped past Simon Webb and side-footed the ball past Dan Connor with aplomb.

Not passing the ball as well as they might, Drogheda struggled to create clear-cut chances, but should have gone in front on 30 minutes.

Zayed’s shot was cleared off the line by Davide Simoncini after Albanian referee Albano Janku played an advantage when Shane Robinson was taken down by keeper Michel Ceccoli.

Zayed made amends on 43 minutes to finally give Drogheda the lead when turning home after he rode a challenge Stefano Sottili following Steven Gray’s cross.