Derry City 0- 1 Drogheda United

After already losing twice to Derry City, Drogheda finally defeated the team above them in a well-earned but at times dull enough game at the Brandywell tonight.

Derry, missing their two first choice centre backs Hutton and Delaney to injury and suspension respectively were weak and the void could not be filled by Mc Chrystal and Mc Callion. Derry struggled throughout and were frustrated by a superior Drogheda side.

The Candystripes had the first real chance of the game though. Gareth Mc Glynn shot from the edge of the area but Jamie Ewings saved well in the Drogheda goal. Almost instantaneously a mistake by the Derry defence allowed Faz Kudozovic race into a one-on-one situation with Gerard Doherty but the recent signing from Sligo Rovers shot straight at Gerard Doherty.

Drogheda started to come into the game a bit more after that chance and with just over a half hour gone Richie Baker got in behind the home defence on the right his cross was met by Eamon Zayed who struck on the half-volley. The ball took a slight deflection off of Doherty and went into the net to put the Drogs in front. And two minutes later the current champions went close to doubling their lead when Shane Robinson gained possession and his shot from about 20 yards went just past the wrong side of the post.

After the break the visitors continued to push forward as the home side continued to struggle, Shaun Maher went close to adding a second goal with a downward header after an hour. Gerard Doherty saved well one minute later when he denied Kudozovic with a superb stop, diverting the striker's close range shot over his crossbar.

Derry never really deserved a result but had a couple of decent enough chances. With 10 minutes remaining a 25 yards shot from Kevin Deery was easily saved by Ewings as the home side continued to struggle in the front line. With 3 minutes remaining Gareth McGlynn's shot from the edge of the area went close but not close enough and the game ended like that with Paul Doolin certainly the happier of the two managers. The men from Louth’s attention now turns to an away tie in the Setanta Cup on Monday night against Cliftonville, although they’re already guaranteed a place in the semi’s.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Mark McChrystal, Steven Gray (Kevin McHugh, 74), Kevin Deery; Gareth McGlynn, Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins (Billy Dennehy, 63), Niall McGinn; Sammy Morrow (Thomas Stewart 74), Mark Farren.
Subs not used: .

Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Brian Shelley, Graham Gartland, Shaun Maher, Joe Kendrick; Richie Baker (Adam Hughes, 81), Paul Keegan, Shane Robinson, Ollie Cahill; Fahrudin Kuduzovic, Eamon Zayed.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, John Tambouras, Shane Barrett, Sami Ristilla.

Referee: Hugo Whoriskey.

Attendance: 3,000 (estimate).