Drogheda United 2 - 2 Bohemians

Bohemians twice came from behind to secure a share of the spoils at Hunky Dorys Park and increase their unbeaten run to three games.

Dwayne Wilson along with Chris Lyons starred for Aaron Callaghan’s side as they tormented the Drogheda defence. Callaghan will be pleased at the level of his team’s resolve as they continued to battle and had chances to win the game.

Drogheda needed only 58 seconds to get off the mark as right from the kick-off they went downfield and Gary O’Neill forced a corner, some quick thinking from Gavin Brennan saw him play a short pass to David Cassidy and he swerved a ball into the box for Michael Daly to flick past Dean Delaney.

Bohemians had to wait until the 17^th minute for their first chance, but until then they had to endure serious Drogheda pressure. Gavin Brennan almost played in Graham Rusk at the back post but the ball skimmed across the greasy surface and sailed behind for a goal kick.

But as the game wore on Bohemians got more of a foothold in the clash and on 25 minutes Paul O’Conor was required to perform some defensive duties as Andy Mulligan broke through but his first touch was too heavy and the former UCD midfielder cut across take possession.

Graham Rusk had several chances in the game but on 27 minutes he pulled a shot from the edge of the box well wide. Minutes later he connected with a Cassidy freekick but his header was just wide. Then on 34 minutes he was played in on the right hand side of the box and he made for the byline and his cross come shot was pushed away by Delaney.

Then on 36 minutes, very much against the run of play, Bohemians scored. Keith Buckley picked out Dwayne Wilson and the striker controlled the ball, albeit with a suspicion of hand-ball, before turning through the Drogheda defence and racing forward to coolly slot the ball past Sava.

However Drogheda needed only five minutes to restore their lead as Paul O’Conor saw his initial headed shot blocked on the line and he reacted instantly to stab the rebound past the helpless Delaney.

Drogheda almost had a third as Derek Pender played a loose pass right into the path of Gary O’Neill and he took a few steps before deftly chipping over Delaney but unfortunately for the striker the ball hit the cross bar and Bohs could clear.

The Gypsies then scored with their first chance of the second-half as Andy Mulligan raced down the left wing before cutting inside Brian Gannon but his cross was deflected into the path of Ryan McEvoy by Alan McNally and McEvoy smashed home from close range.

The rain at half-time made conditions worse and on the hour mark Gary O’Neill fell foul of the weather as a pass from the left found O’Neill unmarked two yards off the goal line but the ball zipped across so fast and clipped the front of his boot and literally ran right up his body and over the bar as the striker couldn’t find his feet in the wet conditions.

He wasn’t the only striker to fall victim to the weather as Dwayne Wilson made some great work down the wing and picked out an unmarked Andy Mulligan just inside the Drogheda box. And with the goal at his mercy he slipped and by the time he recovered he was surrounded and could only hook a shot wide.

Dean Delaney was called upon several times to deny Drogheda as the Boynesiders failed to break down the Bohs defence. Frustrations were evident in the final few minutes as there were three yellow cards flashed from 88 minutes until full-time.

Next up for Drogheda is the visit of St Pats to Hunky Dorys Park on Bank Holiday Monday while Bohs have an extra day’s rest before they face UCD at the Bellfield Bowl on Tuesday.

Drogheda United: Gabriel Sava; Brian Gannon, Alan McNally, Derek Prendergast, Shane Grimes; Graham Rusk (Declan O’Brien 74), Paul O’Conor (Eric Foley 64), David Cassidy, Michael Daly, Gavin Brennan; Gary O’Neill (Peter Hynes 86).
Subs not used: Michael Schlingermann, Stephen Quigley, Philip Hand, Cathal Brady.

Bookings: David Cassidy, Gavin Brennan, Alan McNally.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Dave Mulcahy, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne; Michael Barker, Ryan McEvoy, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Andy Mulligan; Chris Lyons (Kevin Devanney 90), Dwayne Wilson (Kevin O’Leary 86).
Subs not used: Greg Murray, Shane Murray, Ciaran Nangle, Owen Heary, Stephen Traynor.

Bookings: Roberto Lopes, Chris Lyons, Derek Pender

Referee: Derek Tomney

Attendance: 903

Extratime Man of the Match: Dwayne Wilson (Bohemians).