Drogheda United 2 - 3 Derry City

Derry put their Airtricity title hopes firmly back on track as Rory Patterson scored an 86^th minute winner in a dramatic encounter at Hunky Dorys Park on Friday night. The Candystripes striker appeared to be offside, but neither the linesman nor the referee blew for a foul and Patterson coolly lifted the ball over Michael Schlingermann to send the travelling fans into raptures. 

Derry had taken a two goal lead when Drogheda’s second-half substitute Declan O’Brien scored twice in a minute to level matters before Patterson broke the Boynesiders hearts to complete a brace which makes him the league’s top scorer.

During the week Declan Devine spoke of his outrage at bad refereeing decisions which he felt has cost his side in recent games, but the visiting side benefitted from some poor calls made by Alan Kelly tonight. 

Mick Cooke made only one change to the side that beat Limerick 1-0 in Thomond Park on Tuesday as the injured Stephen Quigley was replaced by Brian Gannon. Declan Devine was in the position of welcoming back club captain Kevin Deery from injury along with Ruaidhri Higgins and Shane McEleney who returned from suspension. 

After enduring some early pressure Drogheda had the first real chance on six minutes when Cathal Brady took possession in midfield and released David Cassidy who in turn deftly chipped a ball onto the chest of Ryan Brennan. The youngster laid the ball to Gary O’Neill but the striker’s two attempts were blocked and saved by Ger Doherty. 

Derry, in a 4-4-2 formation, managed to release Patterson and the striker beat the offside trap but drifting to the left pulled a shot with his right boot across the face of goal and wide. 

Drogheda were guilty of missing some glorious chances as they controlled the game and on 39 minutes they were made pay. After sustained pressure had forced back-to-back corners Barry McNamee sent in the third and it initially appeared to have beat everyone and swerved into the far corner, however it transpired that the ball came off the leg of Alan Byrne before hitting the net. 

Drogheda were almost level 20 seconds into the second-half when Gary O’Neill forced a fantastic reaction save from Doherty. Derry then failed to cover themselves in glory with some ‘gamesmanship’ as first Patterson hit the deck after an innocuous challenge with Declan O’Brien saw some playacting from the striker in an attempt to get O’Brien carded or dismissed. 

Ryan McBride was the next to delay the game when Gavin Brennan attempted to control the ball and seemed to brush the central defender but McBride fell to the ground rolling around and signaling to the bench, Alan Kelly amazingly carded Brennan and after hobbling off McBride came racing back onto the pitch. 

Philip Hand gifted possession to Mark Griffin just after the hour and Griffin in turn released Patterson who broke free and rolled the ball past Schlingermann. But Declan O’Brien turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of sixty seconds. Fabio first connected with a Gavin Brennan corner to smash past Doherty and for his second he was played on by Kevin Deery as he beat Doherty in a one-on-one. 

Drogheda then pushed forward and just as it seemed the game was ending for a score draw the Boynesiders were caught with a swift counter-attack and Rory Patterson finished the swift move. 

Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Brian Gannon (Shane Grimes 33), Alan Byrne, Derek Prendergast, Philip Hand; Cathal Brady (Declan O’Brien 52), David Cassidy (Eric Foley 67), Ryan Brennan, Gavin Brennan; Gary O’Neill,.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Alan McNally, Graham Rusk, Michael Daly.

Bookings: Derek Prendergast, Gavin Brennan.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Simon Madden, Ryan McBride, Shane McEleney, Sean Houston (Ryan Curran 90); Kevin Deery (Michael Duffy 72), Barry McNamee, Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry Molloy; Mark Griffin (Stewart Greacen 90+2), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: James Gallagher, Tony McNamee, Conall Kelly.

Bookings: Mark Griffin

Referee: Alan Kelly

Attendance: 792.

Extratime Man of the Match: Rory Patterson (Derry City).