David Hurley misses late penalty as Drogheda United hang on to draw with Galway United

MISSED CHANCE: Galway United's David Hurley reacts after missing a penalty. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile.

Galway United 0 Drogheda United 0

A late penalty miss from David Hurley handed Drogheda United a well-earned point from their League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday.

The home side started brightly and almost took an early lead when an inswinger from Hurley found Stephen Walsh in the box but his headed effort was saved well by Luke Dennison.

Galway were in control for much of the opening proceedings, but it was Drogheda who came closest to breaking the deadlock when Jason Bucknor’s shot was palmed over the bar by the in-form Hugo Pires da Cunha.

Galway continued to push hard for an opener with the Drogheda back line having to defend multiple set pieces.

Walsh has claims for a penalty after an alleged push by Conor Keeley were waved away by referee Daniel Murphy as the two sides went in level on the half-time whistle.

Both sides came out unchanged and it was Galway who had the earliest chance on goal when a Hurley corner was headed down to Aaron Bolger but the Limerick native’s shot was blocked and cleared by the Drogheda defence.

The home side continued to press and were rewarded for their attacking endeavour when substitute Francely Lomboto was fouled by Edwin Agbaje inside the Drogheda box to win a penalty for Galway.

Hurley stepped up with the chance to score the first-ever goal on the new surface at Eamonn Deacy Park, but his spot-kick was struck over the crossbar leaving the sides level with ten minutes remaining.

The home crowd rallied as the Tribesmen desperately searched for a winner, with shots from Hurley, Bolger and Connolly all failing to hit the target.

As injury time ensued, substitute Warren Davis almost snatched a late winner for Drogheda but his strike was deflected wide of da Cunha’s goal.

In the end the spoils were shared with just two points separating the sides in the bottom half of the table.

Elsewhere Derry City recorded a 2-0 victory under interim manager Mark Connolly, who stepped in for Tiernan Lynch following his departure on Wednesday, with Barry Cotter and Adam O’Reilly getting the goals in the second half to see off Sligo Rovers.

Galway United: Da Cunha; Barratt (Devitt 63’), Facchineri, Williams, Kavanagh, Bolger, Hurley, Keohane, McCarthy (Connolly 82’), Walsh, Pierrot (Lomboto 63’).

Drogheda United: Dennison; Agbaje (Burney 75’), Bolger, Keeley, Farrell, Bates (Godden 69’), Bucknor (Davis 60’), Kane, Brennan, Doyle (Ancelin 60’), Oluwa.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.