Bohemians 1 - 1 Drogheda United

A late goal from Roberto Lopes earned Bohemians a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United at Dalymount Park in the Airtricity Premier League on Friday night. Alan Byrne had earlier given the visitors the lead.

There weren't many chances for either side in an even first half which was played in bright sunshine in Phibsboro. Keith Buckley did have a half chance for the home team in the 5th minute. He made his way into the area and got his header away but it was off target.

David Cassidy fired a free kick over the top for Drogheda in the 15th minute. Just two minutes later the visitors nearly took the lead. Cassidy's corner from the left was headed down by Alan Byrne to Gavin Brennan who took a snapshot from eight yards out which was smartly saved by Dean Delaney in the Bohs goal.

The Louth club had a chance on the counter attack in the 30th minute. Gary O'Neill got away from Ryan McEvoy and played it to Peter Hynes.  Hynes found himself in space on the left edge of the area. He tried to get the better of Delaney but the Bohs goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle and made the save once again.

Drogheda who wore all white had most of the play in the first half but didn't create many clear cut opportunities. 

Hynes had the first shot on goal in the second half for the visitors. Shane Grimes broke forward from the right and picked out David Cassidy who then played it to Drogheda's number nine. He decided to try his luck from outside the area but the ball ended up wide.

Drogheda came even closer to scoring just moments later. Cassidy was involved again. He took a clever corner from the right. Graham Rusk dummied it and Ryan Brennan reacted first and got his shot away but the ball came back off the crossbar.

Paul O'Conor  also came close for United in the 57th minute. His left foot shot from the edge of the area just shaved the post. Shortly afterwards Grimes tried a fine shot from outside the area which went just over.

On the hour mark Bohemians had a rare chance. Substitute Conor Murphy found himself in space on the right. He pulled the ball back for Dinny Corcoran who tried a low shot which Schlingermann managed to save.

However Drogheda deservedly took the lead in the 65th minute. Gavin Brennan's in swinging corner from the left caused Dean Delaney all sorts of trouble and the Bohs goalkeeper could only parry it to Alan Byrne who finished from close range.

Dinny Corcoran nearly equalized in the 72nd minute. Darragh Reynor put in a fine cross in from the left. Corcoran rose highest and headed goalwards but the ball ended up on the wrong side of the post for the home team.

Gary O'Neill nearly set up a second for Drogheda three minutes from time. His right footed cross from the left found Cassidy who hit it first time on the half volley and it went just over.

Mick Cooke's side were made to pay for all those misses just a minute later. Anto Murphy, who got a fine reception from the home fans on his return to Dalymount Park, took a long throw from the left and he picked out his centre half partner Roberto Lopes who volleyed it home from six yards out.

Declan O'Brien headed into the net in injury time but his goal was ruled out for offside. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. It was a game which Drogheda should have won but Lope’s late goal keeps the Gypsie’s survival hops alive despite the fact that the result leaves them bottom of the table. Bohemians will face UCD in another crucial match at the bottom of the table next Friday night.

Bohemians: Dean Delany (c); Michael Barker (Dave Scully 83), Roberto Lopes, Anto Murphy, Darragh Raynor; Keith Buckley, Stephen Traynor (Andy Mulligan 69), Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore; Dinny Corcoran, Chris Lyons (Conor Murphy 59).

Subs not used:  Kevin Devaney, Ciaran Nangle, Lorcan Shannon, Greg Murray.

Booked: Traynor (38), Buckley (39), Scully (90+3).

Drogheda United: Michael Schlingermann; Shane Grimes, Derek Prendergast (c), Alan Byrne, Gavin Brennan; Paul O'Conor; Ryan Brennan, Gary O'Neill, David Cassidy; Peter Hynes (Declan O'Brien 69), Graham Rusk.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Phlip Hand, Brian Gannon, Jason Marks.

Booked: R Brennan (8), O'Conor (45), Prendergast (45+1).

Referee: Robert Rogers.

Attendance: 1,194.

Extratime.ie man of the match: David Cassidy (Drogheda United).