Victorious Drogs to face Dynamo Kiev

Levadia Tallinn 0 Drogheda United 1 (Drogheda win 3-1 on aggregate)

Drogheda United will face Dynamo Kiev in the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a brave victory over Estonian side Levadia Tallinn.

Graham Gartland’s second-half strike was enough to ensure the eircom League side will meet Ukrainian giants Dynamo next in their first Champions League campaign.

Paul Doolin’s men had gone into today’s match with a one-goal advantage after they overcame the Meistriliiga champions 2-1 at Dalymount Park last Wednesday.

Tallacht-born defender Gartland was to blame for the goal the Drogs conceded in the first leg after he sold goalkeeper Dan Connor short with a poor backpass.

But he made amends with his goal in Estonia, turning in a Paul Keegan cross two minutes after the break to give Drogheda the lead and a valuable two-goal advantage.

Ollie Cahill had come close to giving the away side the lead shortly before half-time but his close-range shot was blocked.

Gartland also fulfilled his defensive duties well as the League of Ireland side put up some stubborn resistance against the Estonian side to ensure they went into the break with the scores level.

Drogheda were given a further boost 20 minutes after they went ahead when Vadim Petrenko was sent off for the side currently top of the Estonian league, and the visitors dominated the closing stages.