Pat’s score vital win in fight against relegation scrap

St. Patrick’s Athletic 1 Drogheda United 0

Stuart Byrne scored a late winner as St. Pat’s huffed and puffed to a vital victory to move six points clear of the relegation places.

Midfielder Byrne tapped home on 81mins after Drogheda keeper Steve Williams made a terrific save from Mark Quigley’s shot which he just couldn’t hold.

Drogheda seemed more up for it as St. Pat’s struggled for much of the game to raise to the level of their display against Steaua Bucharest last Thursday.

James Chambers and Conor Kenna had first half chances for Drogheda while Kenna took the ball off the toe of Ryan Guy as St. Pat’s struggled in front of goal.

The crossbar then came to St. Pat’s rescue on 51mins as Brian King got his head to Brendan McGill’s cross.

An urgency eventually came into St. Pat’s game in the final quarter and Guy worked a one-two with Quigley to bring a good save from Williams before making the breakthrough nine minutes from time.