Finn Harps 1 - 3 Drogheda United

A TRIO of first-half goals ensured that Drogheda United cruised to an easy win over Finn Harps at Finn Park tonight. Eamon Zayed scored twice and Guy Bates the other as Drogs brought Harps down to earth. Stephen Parkhouse's penalty wasn't enough to inspire a comeback from Harps, who had Neil McCafferty sent off on 67 minutes after collecting a second yellow card.

A poor defensive display cost Harps dearly as Drogheda took full advantage of the slackness and put the game to bed in the first period for a win that moves them up to third spot.

Drogs lined out without midfielder, Stuart Byrne, suspended by the club during the week. Paul Doolin's team showed two changes from the team that beat Dungannon Swifts in the Setanta Cup on Monday - Eamon Zayed and Paul Keegan coming into the line-up in place of Fahrudin Kudozovic and Adam Hughes.

Aaron Labonte returned to the Harps starting eleven as a knee injury was not as serious as first thought. Labonte started in place of the injured Stuart Malcolm while Shaun McGowan returned in the absence of Davy Byrne.

The home team started with a spring in their step and carved out the first chance of the game inside the opening minute, but Chris Breen was unable to keep his shot on target. Parkhouse and Breen then combined to tee up David Tyrell, who lost his footing at the vital moment while Shaun McGowan forced Jamie Ewings into saving his glancing header on 18 minutes.

A minute later, the visitors broke the deadlock. Harps didn't avert the danger on the edge of the are and the loose ball was hammered home by Eamon Zayed. Four minutes later, with Harps still reeling from the concession of the first, their defensive frailties were exposed once again when Cahill was allowed to canter up the left flank to centre for Guy Bates, who tapped home number two. And it was to get worse for the stunned home side when Zayed shot high into the net from a Richie Baker cross on 33 minutes.

With Harps exposed at the back, the Drogs could have added a fourth before half-time, but Cahill shot wide after Shelly's cross wasn't cut out. Michael Funston came close to giving the home support something to cheer about, but his cracking effort from 20 yards was deflected wide. Just after the hour, Harps were reduced to ten men when McCafferty was shown a second yellow for a foul in the middle of the park.

The hosts did pull one back when Parkhouse blasted home from the spot after Breen was brought down by Joe Kendrick. It wasn't enough to set up a grandstand finish, although Harps did have a couple of good chances with Breen and Mukendi going close.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Aaron Labonte, Jonathan Minnock (Declan Boyle 77), Marc Mukendi, Shaun Holmes; Michael Funston, Shaun McGowan, Neil McCafferty, David Tyrell (Marc Brolly 83); Stephen Parkhouse, Chris Breen (Austin Friel 87).
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Gary Beckett.

Booked: Labonte (20), McCafferty (25), Funston (67), Parkhouse (85).
Sent off: McCafferty (64).

Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Brian Shelly, Shaun Maher, Graham Gartland, Joe Kendrick; Richie Baker (Shane Barrett 75), Shane Robinson, Paul Keegan, Ollie Cahill; Eamon Zayed, Guy Bates (Declan O'Brien 46).
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, John Tambouras, Adam Hughes.

Booked: Kendrick (67).

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 1,500 (estimate)

Man of the Match: Eamon Zayed (Drogheda United).