League Report: Drogheda United 3 - 2 Shamrock Rovers II

It looked like United and Rovers were going to play out their second 2-2 of the draw of the season before late drama in Drogheda. Mark Doyle won and scored a penalty in injury time to secure his hattrick and a crucial three points in their promotion bid at a wet United Park on Tuesday. 

Brandon Kavanagh and Mark Doyle swapped goals a couple of times during the 90 minutes before a minute into injury time Doyle got the upperhand in their goalscoring battle. 

It took only four minutes for the Hoops to take the lead. United were looking for an offside flag but Kavanagh timed his run well to get onto Sean Brennan’s through ball to put the Hoops 1-0 up. Brennan was superb throughout the match.

The home side weren’t behind for too long though as Doyle slotted home the ball that came to him off a Hugh Douglas’ header when a free kick hit deep came to him in the Rovers II box. 

Aidan Price lost his captain on 28 minutes with Sean Callan picking up a leg injury and he was replaced by Oisan Hand.

Soon after United’s pressure forced Leon Pohls into pulling off a fine save from a well struck Brandon Bermingham effort and then Adam Wells took one full in the face to stop another United shot. 

Drogheda created the more clear cut chances either side of half time before Doyle got his second from the the penalty spot just before the hour mark. Referee Adriano Reale awared the spotkick after Stephen Meaney, running onto Doyle's through ball, was taken down by Pohls in the box.

Kavanagh, who turned 20 yesterday, got his second of the game with a superb acrobatic strike from the edge of the area 20 minutes from time.

The Hoops rode their luck at times and needed goalkeeper Pohls to be on his toes as he made a trio of saves from James Clarke, Derek Prendergast and Adam Wixted.

The Hoops have proved brittle in games late on in games and so it proved in this one as they conceded a 91^st minute goal to Doyle to make it their fifth loss in a row. Doyle now has 11 for the season and has moved top of the goalscorers list in the First Division. 

The win moves United just two points behind Bray Wanderers with five games remaining and they travel to the Seaside on Friday knowing a win over Bray will send them top of the table.

Drogheda United: David Odumosu, James Brown, Hugh Douglas, Mark Hughes, Jake Hyland (c), Richie O'Farrell (Stephen Meaney 53), Darren Prendergast, James Clarke, Mark Doyle (Ryan O'Shea 90+4), Conor Kane, Brandon Bermingham (Adam Wixted 53).

Subs not used: Ross Treacy (gk), Jack Tuite, Luke Heaney, Chris Lyons.

Booked: Richie O’Farrell (47).

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Adam Wells, Sean Callan © (Oisin Hand 28), Max Murphy, Sean Brennan (Dean McMenamy 69), Jordan Tallon, John Ryan, Aaron Bolger (Darragh Nugent 69), Brandon Kavanagh; Thomas Oluwa (Kevin Zefi 60), Dean Williams (Michael Leddy 60).

Subs not used: Kian Clarke (gk), Pater Adigun. 

Booked: Jordan Tallon (22).

Referee: Adriano Reale

Attendance: 100

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Mark Doyle (Drogheda United)