Drogs make it back-to-back wins with narrow victory over Sligo

Mark Doyle's 55th goal for Drogheda won't last long in the memory but it did deliver three points

Mark Doyle scored the winning goal for Drogheda United against Sligo Rovers. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Drogheda United 1 Sligo Rovers 0

Drogheda United made it back-to-back Premier Division wins as they put their troubled spell firmly in the past and ended Sligo Rovers’ own recent renaissance with a narrow victory.

Drogheda’s top scorer Mark Doyle was their matchwinner. His 55th goal for the club won’t last long in the memory but counts as much as any other. After Brandon Kavanagh’s corner fell to him in the six-yard box, it took two attempts for the attacker to beat Sam Sargeant from just a yard out.

Doyle might have had a second but Sligo’s Sean Stewart blocked his shot at source following a break down the left flank, with Thomas Oluwa providing the thrust. That was the only other meaningful sight at goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Cian Kavanagh’s header in first-half injury time didn’t worry Flynn Talley, leaving John Russell with little to cheer about beyond the fact his side only trailed by a solitary goal.

The last time Sligo made the trip east to Sullivan & Lambe Park, they suffered a 0-1 defeat against a Drogheda side that plundered the game’s only goal early in the game. While only nine of the starting 22 from that game took to the field last night, the match followed much the same pattern, with ultimately the same outcome.

Archie Meekison’s header early in the second half did, at least, force Talley into a save. It was as close as Sligo would come. Drogheda looked in control and never seemed unduly troubled, bar when a late ball across the area just went without a goalscoring touch.

Having required four goals in seven last week, these three points were secured with just one and decidedly less drama. No memories to last a lifetime but points on the board.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Talley; Agbaje, Quinn, Keeley, Kane; Brennan, Farrell; Davis (81), Kavanagh (Godden, 61), Oluwa; Doyle (Cruise, 71).

SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant; McHale, McElroy, Denham, Stewart (Nolan, 75); McHugh, McManus; Meekison; Patton (Traore, 82), Kavanagh, Fitzgerald.